[Party Leadership Candidate Interview] Kang Byung-won on Lee Jae-myung's Impossibility Theory: "Greed, Division, Damage to Governing Party... Pro-Lee, Pro-Moon Want New Figure to Unite 586 and 97"

97 Group Kang Byung-won, Democratic Party Lawmaker
Yoon vs. Lee Political Conflict Should Not Happen
Establish Responsibility and Ethics, Self-Reflection
Important to Build a New Democratic Party
Only One to Announce Political Reform Blueprint

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 20th, Kang Byung-won, a member of the National Assembly who announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party leadership election on August 28, outlined three reasons why Lee Jae-myung should not become party leader, referring to it as the "Three Major Impossibilities."

He mentioned "Jagakgakta," a Buddhist term meaning "to awaken oneself and help others awaken," and criticized Lee’s candidacy by saying, "This leadership election must prioritize 'establishing responsible ethics' and 'self-reflection'."

Kang also emphasized that if, in the cutoff on the 28th that narrows the candidates to three, the other two candidates besides Lee are from the 97 group, it would mark the beginning of a significant change, stating, "It could create a surprise where it’s not 'Anyway, Lee Jae-myung' but 'Maybe Lee Jae-myung.'"

When asked, "Why Kang Byung-won?" he replied, "We cannot afford to create another political conflict of 'Yoon Seok-yeol vs. Lee Jae-myung.' This leadership election is most important for creating a new Democratic Party through 'establishing responsible ethics' and 'self-reflection.' I am a new figure who looks toward the future through self-reflection."

Below is the Q&A.

Kang Byung-won, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-Why is Lee Jae-myung not suitable?

First, Lee described his candidacy as 'devotion and sacrifice.' However, he did not evaluate his presidential election defeat, ran in the local elections, and unexpectedly ran in Incheon Gyeyang instead of his political hometown Seongnam Bundang. This is not devotion but greed and desire for power.

Second, many lawmakers discouraged Lee from running. Nevertheless, he ran, which is proof that he does not empathize with the lawmakers. Will there be unity? This is why concerns are growing that he will wield the party leader’s nomination power like a sword. Division and conflict will intensify.

Third, now, when the government and ruling party are not properly taking care of people’s livelihoods, it is time for the Democratic Party to show itself as a party for the people and a governing party. We cannot waste time again in a conflict phase.

-What have you prepared for running for party leader?

In 1994, as the president of the Seoul National University student council, I transformed the violent student movement into a mass movement. After entering the National Assembly, when I was floor leader in 2018, I was known as the 'floor spokesperson' who sat on the floor answering questions with reporters. In legislative activities, I worked on future-oriented laws such as the Special Act on Fine Dust, the introduction of food consumption expiration dates, and the Substitute Holiday Act. Looking back on my life trajectory, I have been future-oriented, unafraid of change. That is why I introduce myself as a 'futurist.' Among the current party leader candidates, few propose concrete policies ahead of time. I am the only one who has announced a political reform blueprint following the renunciation of party leader nomination rights.

-There is a view that the 'disqualification system for members of the National Assembly' in your political reform blueprint targets Lee Jae-myung. What do you say?

On the 12th, I announced the party innovation blueprint, saying I would give up the party leader’s nomination rights, and now I have released a political reform blueprint (including basic rights constitutional amendment, a four-year renewable term system, election law reform, and the establishment of a ruling-opposition government council, among five political reform proposals). These have been innovation plans I have been contemplating as a party leader candidate. I am simply revealing them one by one according to the election schedule, not targeting any specific person.

Giving up the privileges of lawmakers is meaningful. Although there is an Ethics Special Committee composed equally of ruling and opposition members, it inevitably becomes a structure of 'covering for one’s own' due to mutual leniency. It is difficult to harshly evaluate fellow lawmakers. Therefore, I propose reorganizing the Ethics Committee as a body directly under the Speaker of the National Assembly, with the chairperson and members all from outside, so that the Ethics Committee can fulfill its original role. Also, lawmakers who receive disqualification from the Ethics Committee would be excluded from the vote on arrest consent, so that the National Assembly can secure ethics and morality that meet the public’s expectations.

Kang Byung-won, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-Is there a momentum that could change the party’s internal atmosphere from 'Anyway, Lee Jae-myung' to 'Maybe Lee Jae-myung'?

If the August 28 party leader cutoff shows a contest between 'Lee Jae-myung vs. the 97 group,' and the vote is close, it reflects public sentiment that a new figure should lead the party.

Especially if the majority of the 400 central committee members?composed of directly elected local government heads, lawmakers, etc., whose votes account for 70%?choose the 97 group rather than Lee, that alone could cause a stir. If, after the cutoff, the two candidates besides Lee are from the 97 group, it reflects the desire for a new figure who can cleanse distrust of the Democratic Party and achieve innovation and unity. In that case, it would be 'Maybe Lee Jae-myung,' not 'Anyway, Lee Jae-myung.'

-If you become party leader, how will you resolve factional conflicts and unify the party?

I am pro-Moon Jae-in. Three weeks ago, I met former Supreme Council member Kim Hae-young in Busan to express my apologies and gratitude. During the Moon Jae-in administration, I regret not speaking out on issues like real estate and the Chu-Yoon (Chu Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol) conflict. However, Kim spoke frankly from the public’s perspective. I think he was left isolated then. I reflect on that.

Now I have come forward to become party leader. I am determined to transcend pro-Lee, pro-Moon, and the 586 generation, embracing all to lead with innovation and unity.

Reflecting on past failures to meet public expectations, I am ready to devote all my efforts to overcoming all factional conflicts and unifying the party. I will become the new Democratic Party leader who embraces both pro-Lee and pro-Moon factions, as well as the 586 generation and the 97 group.

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