Lee Jae-myung Sends Letter to Party Members Ahead of Summons... Confidence or SOS?

Pro-Myeong Faction Interpreted as Lee Jae-myung's Confidence
Anti-Myeong Faction Raises Concerns Over Strengthened Bulletproof Frame

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is facing his fourth summons by the prosecution over allegations of preferential treatment in the Baekhyeon-dong development, sent a letter to party members saying he would "stand firm," leading to analysis that he is engaging in a 'preemptive public opinion battle' to rally his supporters.

The pro-Lee faction interprets this as a sign of 'confidence,' while the anti-Lee faction expresses concerns that rallying supporters could instead reinforce a 'bulletproof' frame.

Jang Kyung-tae, a Democratic Party lawmaker belonging to the 'Cheoreomhoe,' a group of hardline first-term pro-Lee lawmakers, said on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on the 16th, when asked about the meaning of sending a letter to party members ahead of the prosecution summons, "It seems he has gained a lot of confidence," explaining, "He is confident about the trial."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jun-ho also appeared on the National Assembly Broadcasting's "National Assembly Live" that day, saying, "As far as I remember, this is the second time he has sent a letter to party members, and the first time he has clearly stated his position like this," interpreting, "The reason he can express such a position is because he has his own confidence in handling the matter."

The day before, Lee posted a letter-style message to party members on social media (SNS), emphasizing, "I have not taken a single won for personal gain, and I have no shame at all, so I will stand firm against the summons as I have done so far," and added, "The change of use for Baekhyeon-dong was due to the instructions of former President Park Geun-hye and the demands of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."

He also shared a summary of a pre-released statement rebutting the prosecution's claims, urging, "I have attached the statement, so I hope party comrades will widely spread the truth and the lawlessness of the incompetent political prosecution," while posting a photo of his back with the words "I will stand firm" alongside the schedule for his prosecution appearance.

On the same day, he posted on SNS a message titled "Evidence that President Park Geun-hye ordered the change of use for the Baekhyeon-dong Food Research Institute site," reinforcing his previous claims.

Lee’s posting of messages asserting his innocence and appealing to party members for the need to uncover the truth over consecutive days on SNS is interpreted as a de facto 'preemptive public opinion battle.' Kim Byung-min, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, pointed out on YTN's "News Live," "He has transformed his summons investigation into a political act," adding, "Ultimately, it induced the rallying of his support base."

Considering that hardline supporters known as 'Gaeddal' have rallied ahead of Lee’s summons in the past, it is highly likely that supporters will gather again this time. The anti-Lee faction expressed concerns that if supporters gather, the bulletproof frame will be further strengthened.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min criticized on BBS's "Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal," "If supporters come out when he appears before the prosecution, will it help Lee?" and pointed out, "If it gives the impression of political support, the public will perceive it as political protection or endorsement because of his position as an opposition party leader. That is the perception it will create among the people."

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