'Pro-Moon' Jeon Hae-cheol opposes revision of Party Charter Article 80... Targets Lee, saying "Revision linked to a specific candidate is a regrettable issue"

"'Immediate Suspension Upon Indictment' Regulation in 'Party Rule Article 80' Was Part of the Party Reform Plan Approved During Moon Jae-in's Leadership in 2015"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Jeon Hae-cheol, a key figure in the pro-Moon faction and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the ongoing discussions within the party on June 10 regarding the amendment of Article 80 of the party constitution, which includes the provision for 'suspension of party duties upon indictment.' He said, "It is regrettable that the amendment of the party constitution, linked to a specific candidate, is becoming a contentious issue without a thorough institutional evaluation of the defeat in the presidential and local elections." Since the amendment discussions are being mentioned with a focus on Lee Jae-myung, the party leader candidate who is facing judicial risks, Jeon’s remarks are interpreted as targeting this candidate.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Jeon publicly opposed the amendment of Article 80 of the party constitution through a Facebook post titled 'Article 80 of the Party Constitution Should Not Be Amended During the Party Convention.'

He explained, "Article 80 of the party constitution, which stipulates the 'immediate suspension of duties upon indictment' for party officials accused of legal violations related to corruption, was adopted as part of the party reform plan during Moon Jae-in’s leadership in 2015. At that time, the Democratic Party, then in opposition, prepared the reform plan as a commitment to relinquish vested interests and decisively break away from corruption. This was also a promise made to the public."

He continued, "There may be questions about whether it is appropriate to suspend a party official’s duties solely based on indictment when unfair political interference by the prosecution and police investigations become a reality. However, discussions on amending the party constitution should be reviewed and decided through a party-wide public debate process and sufficient opinion gathering after such issues actually arise."

Jeon emphasized, "What is needed now is not an amendment to the party constitution or regulations, but rather a discussion on the future and direction of innovation of the Democratic Party based on genuine reflection and a will for reform, making it an important agenda of this party convention."

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