Officialization of Lee Jae-myung's Candidacy Confirms 'Pro-Myung vs 97 Group' Matchup... Park Ji-hyun Also a Variable

Official Declaration of Candidacy on the 17th
Confrontation with the 97 Group
Park Jihyun and Lee Donghak as Youth Variables

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] As Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announces his candidacy for the party leadership election on the 17th, the factional divide in the party convention is becoming clear, with the 'Pro-Myung' camp facing off against the 'Anti-Myung' front centered around the '97 Group.'

While Lee calls for leadership through unity, other party leadership candidates, including the '97 Group' (those who entered university in the 1990s and born in the 1970s), are pressuring Lee over responsibility for the presidential election defeat. Additionally, young politicians are joining in, signaling that the 'generation change' theory may become another axis in the party leadership race.

Declaration of Candidacy at 2 PM on the 17th

On the 15th, Lee’s camp sent a message to reporters announcing that he will hold a press conference to declare his candidacy at 2 PM on the 17th at the National Assembly. They have already set up a campaign office in the Daehwa Building in Yeouido, entering full convention mode.

Given the strong public opposition to his candidacy due to responsibility for the presidential and local election defeats, Lee’s declaration is expected to focus on overcoming division and promoting unity. Lee told reporters on the day, "I believe responsibility is not about 'avoidance' but about focusing on solving problems," clearly expressing his intention to confront the 'responsibility theory' head-on and take the lead.

In response, the '97 Group' lawmakers (Kang Byung-won, Kang Hoon-sik, Park Yong-jin, Park Joo-min) and other anti-Myung candidates have formed an 'Anti-Myung' front, questioning whether Lee is truly the right person for unity.

Kang Byung-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference announcing his candidacy for party leader at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Will Park Ji-hyun, Lee Dong-hak, and other 'Young Party Leaders' become variables?

Former Co-Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, is declaring her candidacy for party leader in front of the main gate of the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Young politicians have also declared their candidacy for party leader, wielding the weapon of a 'younger Democratic Party' and stepping into the convention ring. Former emergency committee chair Park Ji-hyun, who faced controversy over eligibility, held a press conference in front of the National Assembly and announced her intention to run for party leader. Park said, "I will create a 'younger Democratic Party' full of youthful challenges," and added, "I will persuade seniors to contribute to future politics through a graceful retirement."

Former Supreme Council member Lee Dong-hak held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, declaring his challenge for party leadership, saying, "We will change vested interest politics that only hope for the opponent’s failure and new actors will step up to restore politics." He emphasized, "How long must youth remain just a potential next generation? The future leaders, not the past protagonists, must take the lead to open the way."

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