Controversy Over Amendment to Party Rule 80 for 'Lee Jae-myung Protection'... Growing Opposition Concerns Over 'Factionalization'

'Suspension from Duty upon Indictment' Party Charter Amendment Faces 'Lee-tailored' Criticism
Some Party Members Petition to Maintain Charter, Saying "Elected Officials Should Represent Morality"
Lee Says "Suspension from Party Position Solely on Indictment Is Inappropriate," Supports Amendment

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is giving a greeting at the "Dialogue with Sejong Citizens" held on the evening of the 5th at the Cultural Viewing Room of the Haemildong Complex Community Center in Sejong City. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues his winning streak by securing an overwhelming lead in the party leader election, but controversy over the 'Party Charter Article 80 amendment' related to party factionalism is spreading. The proposal is to change the regulation that "suspends the duties of party officials who have been indicted," which has been criticized as an "Lee Jae-myung shield" amendment intended to protect Lee from judicial risks.

According to the Democratic Party on the 9th, Lee expressed support for the amendment of Article 80 of the party charter. On the same day, during a party leader candidate debate held on CBS Radio, Lee said, "The excessive exercise of prosecutorial power is problematic to the extent that it is called a prosecutorial republic," adding, "There can be prosecutorial abuse where anyone can be indicted regardless of whether they are later found innocent or not. Since this can be a route for the government to suppress the opposition party, I believe suspending duties based solely on indictment is inappropriate."

The demand to amend Article 80 of the party charter arose when Democratic Party members posted a related petition on the party member petition board on the 1st. Article 80 stipulates that "the Secretary-General may suspend the duties of party officials at all levels who have been indicted for legal violations related to corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds, and may request an investigation by the Ethics Tribunal at all levels upon indictment." The petition's main point is that since being indicted can be politically retaliatory and may hinder the party leader's ability to perform duties, protective measures should be established. In other words, this amendment is favorable to Lee, who is embroiled in various judicial risks such as the Daejang-dong development project, Seongnam FC sponsorship funds, and allegations of private use of corporate cards by his wife Kim Hye-kyung. The petition has currently garnered over 69,000 supporters.

Criticism of the amendment as an "Lee Jae-myung shield" has been raised both inside and outside the political circle. It is pointed out that this is a "customized amendment" assuming a situation where Lee, who is effectively facing judicial risks, becomes party leader, and that factionalism is becoming a reality. Earlier, during the June 1 by-elections for the National Assembly, Lee reportedly requested nomination for Incheon Gyeyang-eul from co-chair Park Ji-hyun, sparking controversy over "self-nomination," and voices within the party also expressed concerns about factionalism at that time.

Some party members are also opposing the amendment of Article 80. Currently, there is also a petition on the Democratic Party member petition board requesting the maintenance and strengthening of Article 80. The petitioner emphasized, "One of the biggest reasons why countless party members and supporters have been with the Democratic Party throughout its long history is our party's high morality and compliance," adding, "Elected officials of the party represent and must personally practice democratic values and morality, so (Article 80) is an absolutely necessary safeguard and an essential regulation for protecting the party's morality and legitimacy."

Park Yong-jin, who is competing against Lee in the party leader election, announced a "factionalism prevention plan" targeting Lee on the 8th. The plan includes strengthening the powers of the Supreme Council, establishing an independent personnel committee, and forming a nomination management committee one year before elections, all aimed at reducing the party leader's authority. At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Park said, "Factionalism has recently become a controversy within the party. The core of this controversy is that party resources and time have been wasted for personal gain, and the election chances of party-affiliated candidates have been sacrificed," adding, "The term 'self-nomination' will disappear from the Democratic Party from now on," directly targeting Lee.

Lee emphasized that the amendment of Article 80 has nothing to do with him. He explained, "The amendment is not being pursued because of me," and "I understand that it was already being promoted by the party convention preparation committee and the emergency committee before the party members' amendment movement began."

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