Lee Jae-myung's 'Real-time Party Member Chat'... Defection Votes and Park Ji-hyun Also Topics

Will the Democratic Party Propose a Solution to Internal Conflicts?
Live Broadcast Scheduled on YouTube Channel Lee Jae-myung TV

As political accountability is being highlighted following the death of the former chief secretary, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will engage in a real-time conversation with party members. Lee is expected to express his stance on sensitive issues such as the 'mass defection of votes on the arrest consent bill.'

On the 14th, Lee announced on his Facebook, "I want to have an honest conversation with party members," and previewed a real-time dialogue scheduled for 4 p.m. that day. The conversation with party members will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel 'Lee Jae-myung TV.'

The topics of discussion will include recent internal conflicts within the Democratic Party. Specifically, Lee will share his reflections on the large number of defecting votes during the vote on the arrest consent bill, coordinate targeting and rooting out of defectors, his stance on the petition by former emergency committee chair Park Ji-hyun, and the April and May by-elections.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the launch ceremony of the Countermeasure Committee on Humiliating Diplomacy toward Japan held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Previously, the pro-Lee faction emphasized a 'unified front' ahead of the vote on the arrest consent bill, confidently expecting an overwhelming rejection. However, the unexpectedly high number of invalid and abstention votes dealt a blow to the party’s leadership.

Moreover, the recent consecutive deaths of Lee’s close aides have brought judicial risks back into the spotlight. Lee had been working to resolve the internal strife triggered by the arrest consent bill through continuous public engagement on livelihood issues. However, responsibility debates resurfaced following the death of the first chief secretary during Lee’s tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, placing him in a dire situation.

In particular, voices demanding accountability from the anti-Lee faction have grown louder. The Democratic Party continues to experience internal conflict over the 'Lee Jae-myung accountability issue,' with public calls for Lee’s resignation emerging. On the 10th, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan posted on his Facebook, "I have worked for him for over 10 years," adding, "He should bear moral responsibility."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving after paying his respects at the funeral hall of Jeon Mo, the first chief secretary during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, set up at Seongnam Medical Center in Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

There are also forecasts that it may be difficult to contest next year’s general election under Lee’s leadership. On the 13th, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Ko Min-jung appeared on SBS Radio’s 'Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show' and said, "Within the party, there are opinions to protect Lee and opinions that it will be difficult to win the election with him," adding, "By late summer or early autumn, we will have no choice but to decide on the election strategy."

The study group 'The Path of the Democratic Party,' mainly composed of anti-Lee lawmakers, will resume its regular discussions after a two-week hiatus. The group includes prominent anti-Lee figures such as Kim Jong-min, Park Yong-jin, Yoon Young-chan, Lee Won-wook, Cho Eung-cheon, and Hong Young-pyo, who have been critical of Lee’s leadership. Following the mass defection incident, internal conflicts intensified, leading the group to refrain from official activities. Given the increased calls for accountability amid the deaths of Lee’s close aides, there is speculation that the group’s meetings may lead to demands for Lee to take responsibility for the party’s turmoil.

Lee’s move to actively communicate is seen as a strategic effort to find a solution to the 'Lee Jae-myung accountability issue.' It is interpreted as a determination to confront the political crisis head-on. Lee has also extended a proactive hand to the anti-Lee faction to reconcile conflicts. On the 10th, the Democratic Party formed a task force (TF) on the general election nomination system, with nine of the eleven members being from the anti-Lee faction. The TF is an internal party body tasked with preparing the nomination system for next year’s general election.

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