Lee Jae-myung's Continuous 'Unification' Message... Ongoing Controversy Over 'Pro-Approval Faction Disciplinary Action'

Lee Jae-myung "Division Means Certain Defeat" Pledges All-Out Effort to Resolve Conflict
Lee's Hardline Supporters Hang Criticism Banners in Bimyeong District
Bimyeong Faction Criticizes "Empty Talk of Unity"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is putting all his efforts into resolving the ongoing party conflicts following the 'approval of the arrest consent bill in the plenary session' incident. After ending his indefinite hunger strike on the 23rd and returning to party affairs, Lee declared 'no disciplinary action against those who approved the bill' and called for unity. However, voices demanding disciplinary action against the approvers remain strong, especially among hardline supporters, indicating that the controversy is not easily settling. As the situation continues to worsen, the non-Lee faction criticizes Lee for merely calling for 'empty unity.'

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is taking a commemorative photo with attendees before the meeting of current and former floor leaders at the National Assembly on the 26th. From the left, former floor leaders Park Hong-geun, Kim Tae-nyeon, Hong Young-pyo, Woo Sang-ho, Leader Lee, floor leader Hong Ik-pyo, and former floor leaders Woo Won-shik, Lee In-young, Yoon Ho-jung, Park Kwang-on. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 26th, Lee held a meeting with current and former floor leaders at the National Assembly and stated, "With the determination that 'division is certain defeat, unity is certain victory,' I will take the lead and set an example." He added, "We must overcome small differences, unite, and broaden the path toward the people's victory."

This is interpreted as Lee's intention to resolve the internal party strife that has persisted since the approval of his arrest consent bill in the plenary session last September before the next general election.

Lee said, "The general election is 168 days away. Many agree that this election is a turning point that will determine the fate of the Republic of Korea beyond just the Democratic Party's issues," emphasizing, "We must judge the mismanagement of state affairs to prevent the country's regression and the misfortune of our people." He added, "The Democratic Party must become more united and instill hope in our people."

Lee, who had launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's reform, also emphasized 'unity' upon his return to party affairs. Presiding over the Supreme Council meeting, he demanded government reform and urged the party to "stop arguing over the handling of the arrest consent bill" and called for unity. This is effectively interpreted as meaning 'there will be no disciplinary action against those who approved the bill.'

Jang Kyung-tae, a pro-Lee Supreme Council member, explained that there would be no disciplinary action or disadvantages in candidate nominations regarding the 'discipline of the approvers.'

Jang appeared on YTN Radio the previous day and said, "Lee sent a message of unity as his first statement upon returning to party affairs. He said, 'No more controversies or responsibilities should be imposed within our party regarding the approval act,'" adding, "Since they will no longer mention the arrest consent bill, it seems there will be no disciplinary proceedings."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at a meeting between current and former floor leaders at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

When asked, "Does that mean they won't suffer disadvantages like candidate nomination penalties?" he replied, "Since the nomination system is systematic, disciplinary action would lead to point deductions or similar penalties. Currently, since no disciplinary action is taken, it can be considered that there are no disadvantages."

However, internal strife continues as Lee's hardline supporters hold those responsible for the approval of the arrest consent bill accountable and send threatening messages to non-Lee faction lawmakers.

Representative of the non-Lee faction, lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon, criticized on MBC Radio the extreme actions of Lee's hardline supporters, such as hanging banners criticizing non-Lee faction lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Yoon Young-chan's local offices, calling these acts "very severe actions that hinder party unity."

He also pointed at Lee, saying, "Why does he say nothing, take no action, and just let it be?" and added, "It seems like he is pretending to be very inclusive while playing for time and employing a stalling tactic."

Cho also criticized Lee's ambiguous stance on disciplinary action against the approvers, who neither clearly drew a line nor encouraged debate, and referred to non-Lee faction lawmakers as "fish on the chopping block."

Yoo In-tae, a senior figure in the Democratic Party and former Secretary-General of the National Assembly, emphasized that Lee should take more proactive gestures for true party unity. Regarding the large banner hung by Lee's hardline supporters targeting non-Lee faction lawmakers with the phrase "If I had a bullet, I would punish the traitors," Yoo stressed, "Lee Jae-myung must stop such behavior."

Yoo criticized, "Can we overcome our small differences with words alone?"

He even said that Lee should rather express gratitude to the approvers.

Yoo said, "Lee created a turning point by having the arrest warrant dismissed. It was thanks to the comrades who approved the arrest consent bill that the arrest warrant was dismissed," adding, "If it had been rejected then, we might have lost the Gangseo by-election." He continued, "Considering that we have come this far because of the approvers, Lee Jae-myung should really know who they are and perhaps even make a deep bow to them."

Regarding Supreme Council member Jung Cheong-rae's warning message on Facebook last month telling the approvers that "the tab must be settled," Yoo harshly criticized, "If we had listened to such immature remarks, what would have happened to the party?"

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