Judicial Political Crisis Begins... Lee Caught Between 'Resignation Calls' and 'Alternative Proposals' from the Opposition

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[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The ruling and opposition parties agreed on the 23rd to pass the 2023 budget bill at the National Assembly plenary session, bringing an end to the 'budget deadlock' that had dragged on throughout December. However, on the same day that the parties agreed to pass the budget, the prosecution issued a summons to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, signaling that the year-end and New Year period is likely to see the start of a 'judicial deadlock.' The Democratic Party is showing a confused expression, caught between concerns that Lee's judicial risks should not be expanded into a 'crisis for the entire party' and voices urging unity in times of crisis.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Lee said at an on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Gangwon Provincial Party Office, "No matter how much they dig, they can't find the answers they want, so now they have even reopened cases that were previously cleared of charges and summoned me again."

The day before, the prosecution had issued a summons to Lee over allegations related to sponsorship funds for Seongnam FC. Coincidentally, this happened on the same day the ruling and opposition parties finalized negotiations on next year's budget and agreed to pass it at the National Assembly plenary session. The budget deadlock ended abruptly, and the judicial deadlock appears to be beginning immediately. Lee, who usually refrains from commenting on personal matters, has been making strong statements in response to the prosecution's summons.

On the day reports of the prosecution's summons broke, Lee continued his grassroots activities at the Jungang Market in Andong, Gyeongbuk, raising his voice at the scene, saying, "Is Lee Jae-myung really that scary?" He criticized, "They have been digging into the Daejang-dong case for nearly several years, and now they say they will summon me over the FC advertisement case that was cleared of charges. I have been thoroughly investigated for over ten years. They have tried for over ten years to create dust out of nothing, but it seems they still haven't succeeded."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked by reporters about whether he would accept the prosecution's summons and the timing, Lee responded, "Instead of asking when I, Lee Jae-myung, who has no clear charges, will respond to the summons, I hope you first ask when the family of President Yoon Seok-youl, who has clear charges of serious crimes, will be summoned for investigation."

Unlike Lee, who confidently asserts his innocence, the party seems unable to shake off concerns about the actualized 'Lee Jae-myung judicial risk.' Moreover, with the April 2024 general election approaching, voices are growing that the current system cannot provide stable party management. For this reason, there are talks that an emergency committee system may be inevitable. A senior Democratic Party lawmaker said, "The prosecution's investigation net is tightening, and January next year could be a turning point," adding, "We cannot completely rule out the possibility of moving to an emergency committee system." A first-term lawmaker not affiliated with any faction also said, "The possibility of an emergency committee in the current situation makes sense."

Seol Hoon, a lawmaker considered part of the Lee Nak-yeon faction, appeared on SBS Radio on the 16th and said, "Even now, (Lee Jae-myung) should step down as party leader and say that he can handle this situation alone." He added, "By doing so, he can receive the public's evaluation of 'That's Lee Jae-myung'?I think that is the best option under the current conditions," and "That choice depends on the leader himself." In this case, moving to an emergency committee system is possible, and he said, "Whoever becomes party leader now can do it. The Democratic Party has a strong structure, so whoever takes the leadership among the 168 lawmakers can lead excellently."

Even putting aside the 'Plan B,' there is growing support for the idea that the party has no reason to bear the 'Lee Jae-myung risk.'

Jo Eung-cheon, known within the party as 'Mr. Bitter Truth,' said on MBC Radio on the 22nd, "Since Lee's charges have not been proven, he should fight confidently," but added, "It is not the party's fight." Regarding Kim Nam-guk's statement that concerns about Lee's risk within the party are 'a very small minority,' Jo said, "Kim's claim is indeed a very small minority."

On the same day, former Democratic Party emergency committee chair Park Ji-hyun appeared on KBS Radio and said regarding the judicial risk, "Lee should respond personally, and the party should focus on people's livelihoods." However, on the issue of Lee's resignation, she drew a line, saying, "We must unite to resist oppression and fight for people's livelihoods," and "It is time for the party to come together."

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