[Insight & Opinion] Lee Jaemyung's Path: Riding the Tiger

The Democratic Party has been struggling to find its footing since its defeats in the recent presidential and local elections. Although they received results ranging from narrow losses to crushing defeats, they have rushed headlong into internal power struggles without any proper reflection. As a result, debates over responsibility for the election losses have been ongoing day after day. Harsh criticisms toward opponents, as well as offensive remarks that are difficult to even utter, have been pouring out. It is baffling how the Democratic Party has been driven to such a state. Many citizens have also turned their backs. According to a public opinion poll released by Gallup Korea on the 10th, the Democratic Party’s approval rating is only 29%, incomparable to the People Power Party’s 45%. Especially notable is that even the core 40s age group, which was once the Democratic Party’s stronghold, is now leaning toward the People Power Party, leaving little room for argument. It would not be an exaggeration to call this the greatest crisis since the party’s founding.

Meanwhile, the emergency leadership under Woo Sang-ho has been established. There are many calls for ‘innovation’ both inside and outside the party, but these calls are hollow. Without a clear agent, target, or even authority for innovation, Woo himself is likely perplexed about what exactly should be innovated and how. In a situation of intense internal conflict, simply managing to reconcile differences and properly oversee the August party convention would be a success. If I were to emphasize one more thing, it would be that revising the rules of the party convention would be beneficial. If the goal is party innovation, laying the foundation for that innovation starting now is very important.

The core of the Democratic Party’s internal power struggle centers on the position of Representative Lee Jae-myung. The key question is whether he will run for party leader at the August convention.

Blaming Representative Lee for the crushing defeat in the local elections is largely intended to block his bid for party leadership. On the 6th, pro-Moon faction lawmaker Hong Young-pyo stated in a radio interview that the decisive cause of the local election defeat was the candidacies of Lee Jae-myung and former leader Song Young-gil. Hong’s point is valid. It went beyond justifiable reasons and did not align with public common sense. Who would have thought the Democratic Party would act this way even after the presidential election loss?

In any case, this sparked a fierce battle between the so-called pro-Lee and pro-Moon factions. Some even mention the possibility of a ‘party split’ in the worst-case scenario.

However, the water has already been spilled. At this point, blocking Lee’s run for party leader is likely to be the worst possible choice. Party members and supporters want a strong Democratic Party that can stand up to the Yoon Seok-youl administration. They want strong leadership that can fight entrenched interests within the party and lead innovation. And for the next presidential election, they want a candidate with presidential-level potential to place their hopes in. It is difficult to speak of anyone other than Lee Jae-myung in this regard.

From Lee’s perspective, running for party leadership seems inevitable. He is already one of the main axes of internal conflict. If he steps back now, it would be irresponsible and would diminish the significance of his position in the National Assembly. Moreover, party members and supporters who desire Democratic Party innovation might label him as an ‘opportunist’ who only cares about his own safety.

In this light, Lee’s path seems clear. He is already in a ‘riding the tiger’ situation. He must understand that once he dismounts, it could be the end. Therefore, Lee’s bid for party leadership should not be a subject of dispute.

Rather, it would be more productive to consider revising the party convention rules to better reflect the voices of the people. When the people and party members clash, whose side will the Democratic Party take? The Democratic Party must now learn the wisdom of ‘jultakdonggi’ (the simultaneous effort of the inside and outside). If internal limits are clear, it must reach out more quickly to the people outside. Only then can it break down the solid walls within.

Park Sang-byeong (Political Commentator)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.