Opposition Factions Predict Collective Action, December Resignation Rumors Emerge

Announcement of the Launch of the Bimyeonggye Lawmakers' Group 'Principles and Common Sense'
"December Deadline"... Speculation of Party Withdrawal
Hong Ik-pyo "Misunderstanding... Will Coordinate Opinions"

Recently, the Bi-myeong (Bi Lee Jae-myung) faction raised rumors of 'December defections' and announced plans to form a group of lawmakers soon to take collective action. With the general election five months away, factional conflicts within the Democratic Party of Korea are gradually intensifying.

Earlier, Lee Won-wook, a Democratic Party lawmaker classified as part of the Bi-myeong faction, announced the formation of a lawmakers' group called 'Principles and Common Sense' to take joint action. On the 10th, Lee appeared on MBC and said, "There is discussion about visibly taking joint action first," adding, "I think we will open a group that can carry out this joint action in the near future. The name might be something like 'Principles and Common Sense.'"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Other Bi-myeong faction lawmakers have stated they will decide their course of action by mentioning specific timings. Lee Sang-min, a five-term veteran lawmaker, said on the 7th on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' regarding the timing of joining a new party, "I personally think going until the end of December is too late. I plan to do it before then." Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-chun also mentioned, "I will make every effort until December."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min sharpened his criticism toward the party leadership, expressing concerns about the possibility of 'unfair nominations.' On the 8th, on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kang Sisa,' Kim said, "This Democratic Party nomination could be the most unfair nomination in the history of the Democratic Party," adding, "The general election is five months away, yet the party leadership is freely discussing how to evaluate and change the nomination rules. The system nomination is completely broken."

However, Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, dismissed the rumors of December defections, saying, "No lawmakers have talked about leaving the party yet."

On the 13th, Hong said on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' "Some lawmakers have mentioned such things," but added, "The talk of defection is mainly because anchors keep asking questions like that."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He continued, "Lawmaker Lee Won-wook said, 'I am not currently acting on the premise of defection,'" emphasizing, "Although these rumors keep escalating as they are passed along, I believe it is the leadership's responsibility to coordinate internal opinions to prevent such situations, and I will work hard on that."

Regarding concerns about revising the nomination rules, he said, "It will not materialize." Hong stated, "Every party always has rumors of defections or splits before elections," adding, "But in our party, the system nomination was already finalized four years ago during the leadership of Chairman Lee Hae-chan."

He further explained, "The party constitution and regulations stipulate that nomination rules must be set one year in advance," and said, "We just need to follow the rules established by TF team leader Lee Gae-ho in April for the 2024 general election nomination system."

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