Heated Debate Over Amendment of Party Rule Article 80 to 'Save Lee Jae-myung'... Lee Jae-myung "Not Because of Me" vs Park Yong-jin and Kang Hoon-sik "Inappropriate"

Lee Jae-myung "It's Not Being Revised Because of Me"
Park Yong-jin "No More Double Standards Controversy"
Kang Hoon-sik "Timing Is Not Appropriate"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 9th, candidates running for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea engaged in a heated debate over the controversial amendment of ‘Party Charter Article 80,’ which has sparked controversy as an attempt to ‘save Lee Jae-myung.’ Candidate Lee Jae-myung drew a line against the view that the amendment is a ‘shielding revision’ to prepare for his own judicial risks, saying, "Because it could become a channel for the prosecution to suppress the opposition party," while candidates Park Yong-jin and Kang Hoon-sik opposed it, citing inappropriateness from the perspectives of morality and timeliness, respectively.

Lee Jae-myung (from left), Kang Hoon-sik, and Park Yong-jin, candidates for the Democratic Party representative, are attending the party representative candidate broadcast debate held at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 9th, posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On the same day, during the ‘Democratic Party of Korea Leadership Candidate Invitation Debate’ held on CBS Radio, Candidate Lee argued, "It is inappropriate to suspend party duties solely based on indictment, as Article 80 of the Party Charter could become a channel for the ruling party and government to suppress the opposition." Article 80 of the Party Charter stipulates that ‘any party official at any level who is indicted on charges related to corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds shall have their duties suspended immediately upon indictment, and an investigation can be requested from the Ethics Tribunal at each level.’ Currently, Candidate Lee is under suspicion for issues such as donations to Seongnam FC and misuse of corporate cards by his wife Kim Hye-kyung, so if the prosecution indicts him, his duties could be suspended even if he becomes party leader.

While some party members and pro-Lee Jae-myung factions are calling for its amendment, anti-Lee factions are voicing opposition, fearing the ‘personalization of the party by Lee Jae-myung.’ Their argument is that it is inappropriate to change the party’s constitution, the Party Charter, because of the personal judicial risks of one individual.

Conscious of criticism that the amendment is for his own protection, Candidate Lee said, "The Party Charter and regulations are not being amended because of me." He emphasized, "Article 80 targets those involved in corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds, but I do not fall under that category." He also said, "It is not a problem when we are the ruling party, but it is a problem when we are the opposition," adding, "Currently, excessive exercise of power to the extent that it is called a ‘Prosecutor’s Republic’ is problematic, and there could be abuse of prosecutorial power by the ruling party."

However, Candidate Park, who has opposed the amendment of Article 80, rebutted by calling it ‘double standards.’ He argued that the same moral standards should be applied regardless of party affiliation. Candidate Park criticized, "This clause was created when former President Moon Jae-in was party leader and Kim Seong-gon was the Innovation Committee Chair, and it was amended during Lee Hae-chan’s leadership," adding, "I do not want to go through the controversy of double standards where moral criteria differ depending on whether we are the ruling or opposition party."

Candidate Kang also expressed opposition, citing ‘timeliness’ as the reason, stating it is "inappropriate." However, he left room for discussion, saying, "If the issue is raised by party members, it can be discussed."

On the same day, Candidate Lee apologized for the ‘no-look handshake’ (shaking hands without looking at the other party) with Candidate Park during the joint speech session for the party leadership election held in Jeju on the 7th. Candidate Lee said, "I am sorry," adding, "I was focused on something else that day and did not show proper courtesy, so I apologize," and "You must have felt quite hurt, and I will make sure to be more considerate in the future."

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