[Insight & Opinion] "Pro-Yoon Party" vs. "Pro-Lee Party"

As expected, a ‘pro-Yoon’ leadership was born at the People Power Party’s presidential election that ended last week. Kim Ki-hyun, who advocated for party-government unity, was elected party leader without a runoff vote, and all the top committee members elected?Kim Jae-won, Kim Byung-min, Cho Soo-jin, Tae Young-ho, and Jang Ye-chan?were pro-Yoon candidates. This result shows that the election was held under the strong influence of ‘Yoon’s heart (尹心).’

In fact, even the presidential office intervened to veto certain candidates. Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who insisted on running for party leader, was suddenly branded as the ‘leader of the anti-Yoon faction,’ removed from the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, and ultimately had to give up her candidacy. Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who once led in opinion polls, was directly called a ‘disruptor and enemy of state administration’ by President Yoon Seok-yeol after criticizing the ‘Yoon core group.’ Yongsan even managed the primary race traffic control to ensure the pro-Yoon leadership prevailed.

Following the elected leadership, pro-Yoon core member Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu became the secretary-general. Since this position is responsible for the practical aspects of candidate nominations in next year’s general election, it is expected to be a channel through which Yoon’s influence is reflected in the nominations. Most key party positions were occupied by pro-Yoon figures. On the other hand, those who might voice different opinions within the party were invariably neutralized. Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who was one pillar of candidate unification, is now classified as non-mainstream regardless of his will. The ‘Lee Jun-seok faction’ that ran in the presidential election as ‘Cheon-A-Yong-In’ (Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, Lee Gi-in) all suffered defeat. It seems difficult for politicians within the People Power Party who voice opinions different from the pro-Yoon faction to exist for the time being.

This situation is no different in the opposition Democratic Party. Since electing Lee Jae-myung as leader at last August’s presidential election, the party has transformed into a ‘pro-Lee’ party. Jeong Cheong-rae, Park Chan-dae, Seo Young-kyo, and Jang Kyung-tae, all top committee members, were politicians classified as ‘pro-Lee,’ with only Ko Min-jung being labeled ‘anti-Lee.’ However, judging by Ko’s hardline stance against the ruling party, it seems fair to say she also belongs to the broader pro-Lee camp. Despite internal disagreements over issues like the ‘Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act’ and the processing of the arrest motion against leader Lee Jae-myung, the hardline pro-Lee leadership pushes forward while dismissing moderate voices. Moderate politicians trying to maintain balanced thinking have no place.

In the past, the Democratic Party was a party where different opinions were freely expressed and debated. But now, if someone voices such opinions, they face a barrage of text message attacks from ‘Gaeddal’ (supporters of Lee Jae-myung). There is even talk of strengthening Gaeddal’s influence in next year’s general election nominations. Since only one voice is allowed, democracy has effectively disappeared from the Democratic Party.

Thus, both the ruling party and the main opposition have established a system dominated by the mainstream. The problem is that in such a homogenized order, it is difficult for voices different from the mainstream to emerge. Regardless of party, political parties should be channels that reflect public sentiment in state affairs. If they only show loyalty to internal party power and fail to properly read public sentiment, it is hard to expect them to fulfill their role as political parties.

There is talk that the People Power Party’s greatest trust lies in leader Lee Jae-myung. It does not sound like a joke. It means that as long as Lee remains, no matter how poorly the People Power Party performs, the Democratic Party cannot win. After the People Power Party’s presidential election results came out, there are reports that the Democratic Party is reacting with relief and managing their expressions. The pro-Yoon leadership of the ruling party is the easiest opponent for the Democratic Party. It is not because they have earned high marks from the people, but because the opposing party is so poor that they think they can win?so it is a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other. Is this politics a comedy or a tragedy?

Yu Chang-seon, Political Commentator

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