Silent at the meeting... Lee Nak-yeon, who called for 'innovation' under Lee Jae-myung's leadership

Tension Mounts in Democratic Party Between Pro-Myeong and Pro-Nak Factions
Attention on Lee Nak-yeon's Moves... Focus on Direction of Innovation

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who returned after a year of studying abroad in the United States, visited Honam for the first time since his return and emphasized "the Democratic Party's innovation that meets the people's expectations." This is similar to what the non-Lee Jae-myung faction has been advocating and can be read as a criticism of the 'Lee Jae-myung regime.' Although the pro-Lee faction is urging a meeting with Lee Jae-myung, no meeting has been reported yet, which is seen as an extension of the factional tensions within the party.

On the 3rd, Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee from the non-Lee faction said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' in response to the host's question, "Isn't Lee's statement almost identical to the criticism from non-Lee faction lawmakers?" He replied, "Of course, since there is leadership, all faults inevitably fall on the leadership," adding, "Rather than whether the leadership has the capability to lead, it is a very strong admonition that the entire Democratic Party must undergo change and innovation."

Lee, who visited Honam for a 2-night, 3-day trip last weekend, paid respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and Mangwol-dong National Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery on the 2nd, and told reporters, "The Democratic Party must achieve innovation that meets the people's expectations to gain their trust and fulfill its necessary role."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This implies that the current state of the Democratic Party does not meet the people's expectations and can also be interpreted as criticism of the current leadership system. Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Sung-min interpreted on BBS Radio that "Lee's remarks during his Honam visit, emphasizing the need to restore the Democratic Party's morality and internal democracy, reflect his intention as a senior party member to offer candid criticism."

However, the non-Lee faction appears to be moderating the tone, suggesting that his remarks are more general rather than a direct criticism of the leadership. They seem concerned about the possibility of factional conflict escalating. Lawmaker Hwang said, "Everyone is saying such things now," adding, "The need for innovation and change in the Democratic Party is something not only Lee but all party officials and lawmakers are talking about."

Although ten days have passed since Lee's return, there has been no news of a meeting with Lee Jae-myung, and as Lee's candid criticism of the party intensifies, concerns about conflict are emerging.

Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung said on KBS Radio, "(The conflict) cannot be said to be absent. They competed over the presidential candidate," adding, "Because personal rivalry is emphasized, they fail to find the common ground for cooperation, and if they cannot find that common denominator, they are not great leaders. We are currently at that crossroads."

Within the ruling party, it is believed that structural conflicts make it difficult for a meeting to take place easily. Former People Power Party Vision and Strategy Office chief Kim Geun-sik analyzed on CBS Radio, "Meeting might not be a big deal," but added, "The meeting between former leader Lee and current leader Lee is not about who extends a hand first, but rather that the structured internal conflicts make it difficult to reach out to each other."

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