Ahead of Vote on Lee Chepodo's Motion, Democratic Party's Principled Faction Faces Calls for Expulsion

Jihyun Park Urges Passage of Lee's Arrest Motion
Party Members Say "Is This Appropriate for a Party Member?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the arrest motion for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expected to be voted on at the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th, former emergency committee member Park Jihyun has come forward advocating for the passage of the arrest motion, placing her at the center of controversy.

On the Democratic Party member petition board, demands for Park’s expulsion or disciplinary action are pouring in. In addition to Park, petitions calling for the expulsion or discipline of principled lawmakers who have criticized Lee or the party have also been posted.

On the 16th, a petition titled "Request for expulsion or disciplinary action against former committee member Park" was posted on the Democratic Party’s online member petition site, 'National Response Center.' As of 4 p.m. on the 20th, this petition has garnered over 23,000 signatures.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Hong-geun, floor leader, members of the National Assembly, party committee chairpersons, and party members are shouting slogans at the "Condemnation Rally Against Prosecutorial Dictatorship of the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration" held on the stairs in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The petitioner stated, "(The prosecution’s arrest warrant for Leader Lee) is, by anyone’s standards, tyranny and a political prosecution conspiracy," and added, "Even in this situation, former committee member Park insists that the arrest motion must be passed. Does that make any sense?" expressing indignation.

They continued, "Anyone who refuses to listen to the voice of Democratic Party members, and furthermore the Democratic Party itself, has neither reason nor qualification to remain in the party. Severe disciplinary measures such as expulsion, recommendation for withdrawal, or suspension of party membership rights against former committee member Park are necessary," they demanded.

Earlier, former committee member Park posted on her Facebook, "The only way to save the Democratic Party, the people, and democracy is through Leader Lee’s sacrifice," and wrote, "Even if he is arrested immediately, we must believe that the people will protect him. I sincerely hope for a decisive action." This is interpreted as meaning that the longer the party’s judicial risks are linked to Leader Lee, the harder it will be for the entire party to escape crisis.

Former committee member Park further insisted, "As promised during the presidential election, (Leader Lee) must give up parliamentary immunity, and all Democratic Party lawmakers should participate in the vote on the arrest motion and cast affirmative votes," reiterating her demand.

On the Democratic Party member petition board, there are also petitions calling for the expulsion and discipline of lawmakers Kim Jong-min, Lee Won-wook, and Cho Eung-cheon, who are classified as non-mainstream. This petition, posted on the 22nd of last month, has received over 28,000 signatures as of the 20th.

All three lawmakers have been critical of the Democratic Party’s fandom politics and Leader Lee. Recently, when some within the party showed signs of pushing for the rejection of the arrest motion as the party’s official stance, Representative Cho publicly expressed opposition.

However, among current lawmakers, no voices have publicly advocated for the passage of the arrest motion against Leader Lee. Since the prosecution’s issuance of the arrest warrant for Lee was anticipated, Lee has focused on internal discipline to prevent any dissenting votes during the arrest motion vote. Last week, it was also reported that he held a series of meetings with some non-mainstream lawmakers.

Nevertheless, like former committee member Park, calls from outside the National Assembly for the passage of the arrest motion continue. Former lawmaker Kim Hae-young wrote on Facebook on the 18th, "The intention was to make the Democratic Party a shield party for Lee Jae-myung by forcing his candidacy for the Gyeyang-eul parliamentary seat and party leadership, but should the entire party be dragged along by such intentions?" and argued, "The Democratic Party will not be annihilated even without Leader Lee."

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