Democratic Party Plan B Depending on Lee Jae-myung's Position... Pro-Lee Faction Takes Last Stand Amid Caution

Possibility of Detention Warrant by Prosecution, Lee's Position as a Political Variable
Pro-Myeong Faction: "Low Possibility of Detention and No Discussion of Plan B"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, returned home after a prosecution investigation on the 17th, sparking interest in the Democratic Party's 'Plan B' regarding his position. According to the pro-Lee faction, which insists on unity centered around the party leader even if Lee is detained, there are even rumors of 'prison candidacy.'

However, the pro-Lee faction downplayed the possibility of Lee's detention, stating that they cannot respond to hypothetical situations and that the party leadership itself is not discussing Plan B.

The mention of 'Plan B' assuming Lee's detention first came from Park Chan-dae, a pro-Lee Democratic Party lawmaker. On the 17th, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "It is difficult to answer hypothetical questions about (Lee's detention)," but added, "If detention is decided after the warrant hearing, wouldn't that be a serious crisis for the Democratic Party?"

Park continued, "Rationally speaking, there is a clear conviction that 'a guilty verdict cannot come if it goes to trial,' and it is difficult for a warrant to be issued, but in case a warrant is issued, there is indeed some consideration of Plan B, asking what to do then," adding, "It is hard to say definitively, but personally, even if detention occurs, if necessary, unity centered around the party leader is possible."

This led to speculation about Lee's 'prison candidacy.' Analysts suggest that even if Lee is detained, he would maintain his position as party leader, allowing the pro-Lee faction to influence the general election nominations. The anti-Lee faction has consistently argued that Lee should relinquish his nomination power and resign.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is under suspicion of preferential treatment in the Baekhyeon-dong development, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th for investigation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

However, the pro-Lee faction drew a line, saying, "Plan B is just a personal concern and has not been discussed within the leadership." They also said it is difficult to answer questions based on hypothetical situations because the possibility of Lee's detention is low.

Park Chan-dae, who first mentioned 'Plan B,' dismissed it as "just a personal concern." In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current' on the 18th, when asked about his remarks the previous day, Park said, "The probability of a warrant being issued is 10%, and the possibility of detention is less than 5%," adding, "I think the possibility of the party leader being detained is very slim. Therefore, the leadership is not considering Plan B at all; it is just a personal worry."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho also said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "I am not part of the leadership, so I don't know about Plan B, but Lee is a party leader with a term, and this is during the regular National Assembly session," adding, "Of course, hypothetically, if the party leader is detained during the regular session and resigns, it would cause even greater confusion."

Jung added, "The party is currently in a serious crisis, and the government is mobilizing the prosecution to pressure the opposition, so it is the party members' natural duty to unite and check the government's tyranny and fulfill the role of the National Assembly."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-jin appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' the same day and said, "I think it is inappropriate to proceed based on hypotheticals, and I believe the reasons for the warrant request are unclear, and the courts in South Korea are not that careless," adding, "It is inappropriate to discuss matters that are still under investigation."

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