Myeongnak Meeting Imminent... Will the Spark of Conflict Between Innovation Committee and Pro-Nak Faction Die Out?

Kim Eun-kyung "Criticism of Lee Nak-yeon? Misunderstanding Due to Context Cut"
Party Unification and Innovation Agenda Expected to Be Discussed at Meeting

As conflicts arise between the Democratic Party Innovation Committee and the pro-Nak (pro-Lee Nak-yeon) faction, attention is focused on the message expected from the upcoming Myeong-Nak meeting (a meeting between Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, and former leader Lee Nak-yeon) scheduled for the 19th. Within the party, there is hope that the meeting between the two will serve as a turning point for party unity.

Kim Eun-kyung, the Innovation Committee chair, apologized on the 18th for her remarks that sparked the conflict between the Innovation Committee and the pro-Nak faction. Earlier, in an interview with Yonhap News on the 16th, Chair Kim said about former leader Lee Nak-yeon, "It is inappropriate to engage in political words and actions to preserve one's own faction. I expect that he will not do so."

The pro-Nak faction reacted strongly. On the morning of the 17th, Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon posted on Facebook, "Study the identity of the Democratic Party first," adding, "It is utterly deplorable. What is the intention of the Innovation Committee chair, who should lead fair and just innovation, in making witch-hunt-like remarks targeting a specific person?"

Lee Sang-min, a non-Myeong faction lawmaker, also pointed out on YTN radio on the afternoon of the 17th, "It is unfair to single out former leader Lee Nak-yeon and criticize factionalism."

Former Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), is seen seeing off Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, who finished paying respects at the funeral hall set up for his father-in-law on the afternoon of April 9 at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Chair Kim explained that a misunderstanding arose during the editing process of her remarks. On MBC radio on the 18th, she said, "I said, 'Former leader Lee is a senior party member and I don't think he would engage in political words or actions to preserve his faction. Rather, I expect him to play a role in unifying the party,' but when the statement was cut and connected abruptly, it came out that way. I am also embarrassed, and I believe lawmaker Seol was understandably hurt."

She clarified that her remarks were made with the expectation that former leader Lee Nak-yeon would serve as a focal point for party unity, but the editing process distorted it to sound like a critical comment.

Innovation Committee member Seo Bok-kyung also said on SBS radio on the 18th, "I think lawmaker Seol is confused about something. If you look at the original text, the phrase was inserted to express the expectation that former leader Lee Nak-yeon would play a role, so if you read it carefully, the misunderstanding will be resolved."

With the Innovation Committee's explanation, the conflict with the pro-Nak faction seems likely to be settled for now. The resolution of the party's internal strife depends on the message that will come out of the scheduled Myeong-Nak meeting.

Chair Kim expressed hope that the meeting between the two would be a turning point for party unity. She said, "If the two come out arm in arm after dinner, I would be very happy," adding, "If the two link arms, all their supporters will come forward and form a scrum."

The agenda at the Myeong-Nak meeting table is expected to include party harmony and innovation. Kim Young-jin, a pro-Myeong (pro-Lee Jae-myung) Democratic Party lawmaker, said in an interview with YTN radio that day, "I think they will discuss the regression of democracy and the current situation under the Yoon Seok-youl government," adding, "How should our Democratic Party respond? Let's unite to overcome this crisis and win the general election. I think they will talk about things like that."

Kim added, "Then, regarding internal party issues such as the Democratic Party's morality and democracy, I expect they will broadly discuss innovating and advancing further to meet the public's expectations, and that the former and current leaders of the Democratic Party will unite and create a new future."

However, there is also a possibility that the meeting schedule may change due to flood damage. The meeting between the two was originally scheduled for the 11th but was postponed due to heavy rain on that day.

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