Growing Judicial Risks for Lee Jae-myung Amidst Consolidation of Pro-Moon Faction

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has once again received a summons from the prosecution, increasing the 'judicial risk' surrounding him. Voices from the opposition camp are calling for a 'two-track' response considering his judicial risk. Meanwhile, the pro-Moon faction appears to be intensifying its consolidation.

According to the legal community on the 16th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 and 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office notified Lee's side to appear and be investigated after the Lunar New Year on charges including breach of trust and violation of the Anti-Corruption Act related to the 'Wirye and Daejang-dong development corruption' allegations.

It has been six days since he was summoned for investigation on the 'Seongnam FC' allegations on the 10th.

The judicial risks surrounding Lee are gradually intensifying. Along with the Seongnam FC allegations and the Daejang-dong allegations, the imminent domestic extradition of Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Ssangbangwool and a key figure in the recent 'lawyer fee payment' allegations against Lee, is expected to add to the accumulating judicial risks one by one.

In response, Lee stated that this is a "prosecutorial risk, not a judicial risk," and is setting agendas to overcome the livelihood and economic crisis. However, voices from the opposition camp argue that a 'two-track' strategy should be employed considering the judicial risks. Former Minister Park Young-sun emphasized on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' that "the prosecution or the Yoon Seok-yeol government will drag out the investigation against Lee Jae-myung like stretching taffy," and "the Democratic Party must definitely proceed with a two-track strategy."

Regarding judicial risks, Park said that while fighting as a united front is necessary at times, there are moments when 'separate responses' are required. She stated, "We should fight as a united front when it concerns public interest issues," and "when there are problems related to individuals or private interests, it is essential to separate and respond with a two-track approach."

As Lee's judicial risks escalate, another faction within the party, the pro-Moon faction, is moving to consolidate. The policy research forum 'Sa-ui-jae,' led by former high-ranking officials from the Moon administration, will launch on the 18th, and former President Moon Jae-in will open a bookstore in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, where his residence is located. Although these are claimed to be purely for policy research and exchange, the timing of the pro-Moon faction's consolidation coinciding with the rise of Lee's judicial risks is drawing various interpretations.

Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker classified as part of the 'Non-Myeong (非明) faction,' criticized on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "so-called pro-Moon forces are gathering to create something again, whether it's a research forum or some other forum, but it is essentially about consolidating power," and added, "That is not desirable."

He pointed out the problem of factionalism within the Democratic Party and expressed concern that the launch of Sa-ui-jae could lead to the consolidation of the 'Pro-Myeong (親明) faction.' He said, "If Sa-ui-jae is formed, won't members of the opposing faction gather as well?" and "While it is impossible to ignore existing factions realistically, why make efforts to accelerate or solidify them?"

He further remarked, "Moreover, the pro-Moon forces should first reflect on the fact that the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party lost power due to their own mistakes," and "If there is an approach or intention to seize party leadership at any cost, that is an act that harms the party."

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