Lee Jae-myung Returning Soon... 3 Tasks to Solve Beforehand

①Leadership System Until Next Year's General Election
②Arrest Consent Bill Treated as 'Rebellion Vote'
③Landslide Victory in Gangseo-gu Mayor By-election

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is undergoing recovery treatment after fasting, is expected to return sometime this week. Although the worst crisis was averted after the arrest warrant was dismissed following a substantive hearing, which came after the arrest consent bill was passed due to a rebellion vote within the Democratic Party, there are still significant challenges ahead.

According to political circles on the 4th, Lee's position within the party has become more stable after escaping the risk of detention. Because of this, the prevailing view is that next year's general election for the National Assembly will be conducted under Lee's direct leadership. Earlier this year, the Democratic Party raised the idea of an "orderly resignation," where Lee would step down by the end of the year and a caretaker committee would be launched. In particular, Lee hinted at the possibility of resignation when he stated on March 16, "If I lose in the general election, my political career is over. I am willing to do anything to win."

Due to Lee's judicial risks and controversies over protective measures, there were openly expressed opinions within the Democratic Party that "the election cannot be fought with Lee Jae-myung alone." Although additional actions by the prosecution remain a variable, with the dismissal of the arrest warrant, Lee can now directly oversee the election until next year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, there are calls for the Democratic Party leadership to present a blueprint for next year's general election. Former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jong-in, said on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "It is necessary to carefully consider whether Lee can lead the party to victory if he commands the general election next year." As the possibility of Lee directly leading the election has increased, the party needs to intensify preparations for the election, including talent recruitment.

The issue of handling the lawmakers who voted in favor of the arrest consent bill, so-called internal rebellion votes, also needs to be resolved. For now, within the party, measures to punish the rebellion votes through procedures such as the "Ethics Tribunal" are being discussed. Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "It is appropriate to resolve this through the party's system," adding, "I believe the Ethics Tribunal will make an appropriate judgment regarding the lawmakers who voted in favor." Park Chan-dae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," "For those who consistently shook the Democratic Party before and after the warrant dismissal and the passage of the arrest consent bill, and took concrete actions to bring down the leadership and party leader, appropriate measures are necessary," adding, "The procedure of going through the Ethics Tribunal is appropriate."

However, there is also speculation that Lee may take a path of reconciliation regarding this issue. Former chairman Kim said about this issue, "Perhaps one or two people can be excluded, but there are not many who would exclude a large number (at least 29)," and added, "Would they cause new turmoil in the party again through disciplinary actions?" On one hand, there is a theory advocating punishment for those who voted in favor, and on the other, Lee may pursue reconciliation to create a dramatic effect.

The by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, on the 11th is also a challenge. Political circles expect that if the Democratic Party achieves a significant victory in this election, Lee's leadership system will be further solidified. At least in the metropolitan area, Lee's "power" could be confirmed. However, the key is that the currently perceived "tailwind" must be confirmed by voter sentiment. If Democratic candidate Jin Gyo-hoon barely wins the election or loses to People Power Party candidate Kim Tae-woo, a headwind will be inevitable.

Whether Lee will directly participate in the by-election campaign is also a point to watch. The Democratic Party is officially cautious about whether Lee will join the election campaign. Floor leader Hong said, "It does not seem easy for him to return to party affairs before the election." Even if he does not fully return to party affairs, there is speculation that he might make a surprise appearance. Park Chan-dae, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," "Because the Gangseo District mayoral by-election is very significant, he is considering ways to encourage voting and participation in some form," adding, "He is contemplating some extraordinary measures related to the Gangseo District mayoral election."

A Democratic Party official said, "It seems that Lee will return to the frontline in some form sometime this week."

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