Democrats, Lee's Candidacy in Difficult District Sparks Pro-Myung vs. Anti-Myung Clash

Jeong Seong-ho Criticizes "Locking the Party Leader in Andong"
Faction Meeting Demands Party Reform and Change in Leader Lee
Lee Sang-min May Leave Party... Open to Joining New Party or People Power Party

Amid escalating conflicts between the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction (pro-Lee) and the anti-Lee faction (anti-Lee) within the Democratic Party of Korea ahead of next year's general election, the debate over Lee Jae-myung's candidacy in a challenging district has flared up once again. While the party leadership emphasizes unity for electoral victory, internal strife appears to be spreading as the possibility of defections from the anti-Lee faction is being raised.

According to political circles on the 15th, the so-called 'Principles and Common Sense' group, composed of anti-Lee lawmakers including Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, Yoon Young-chan, Lee Won-wook, and Lee Sang-min, is emphasizing party reform and innovation while demanding that Lee Jae-myung run in a challenging district. The day before, Representative Lee Won-wook appeared on MBC Radio and reiterated the call for Lee to run in a difficult district, suggesting his hometown Andong as the constituency.

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@

According to the results of a survey conducted on the 12th and 13th by the public opinion research firms Kukmin Research Group and Ace Research at the request of Newsis, nearly half of the public?47%?responded that the demand for Lee and other senior pro-Lee members to run in challenging districts is an 'appropriate request.' Those who said it was an 'inappropriate request' accounted for 35%, and 19% said they 'did not know.' (Survey conducted nationwide among 1,003 men and women aged 18 and over, response rate 1.8%, with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.)

However, the pro-Lee faction immediately pushed back and came to Lee's defense. Representative Jung Sung-ho criticized Lee Won-wook's proposal for Lee to run in Andong, saying it was "just locking the party leader away in Andong." On CBS Radio that day, Jung said, "A three-term lawmaker (Lee Won-wook) says, 'I'm going somewhere else, so you, the party leader, should also go somewhere else.' Is that something one can say?" He added, "It's like a person with 10,000 won in assets telling a person with 100 million won in assets to put everything on the line and have a one-shot showdown." Representative Ahn Min-seok also criticized the demand for the party leader to run in a challenging district, saying it was "misguided." On SBS Radio that day, Ahn said, "I don't know how Lee's candidacy in Andong would help the general election."

Inside and outside the party, there are predictions that the 'Principles and Common Sense' group might become the foundation for defections. However, there appear to be differences in opinion among lawmakers regarding defection. When asked by a host whether this group could be linked to defection or the formation of a new party, Lee Won-wook said, "Not really." He explained, "Currently, the goal is to try to improve the party. When the full-scale (election) system is introduced in December, other discussions will take place, but we have not had such discussions yet."

However, unlike other lawmakers, Lee Sang-min is leaving open the possibility of defection. On BBS Radio that day, Lee said he would decide on his position by early December. Regarding the possibility of joining the People Power Party, he said, "It cannot be ruled out."

Lee said, "I have decided to clarify my position by early December, whether to remain in the Democratic Party or leave." He added, "In that sense, there is some difference from the 'Principles and Common Sense' group's launch, which aims to make demands to the party and work to correct it." He elaborated, "The longer the decision is delayed, the more it can be perceived as begging for nominations or bargaining, and it can be exploited that way, so I think a quick decision is necessary." He continued, "Having served five terms in the Democratic Party, leaving it is emotionally difficult. However, I simply cannot endure it in the Democratic Party, nor can I realize my intentions here." He added, "Rather, I end up self-censoring and becoming increasingly withdrawn, so I need to decide quickly. Even setting a deadline within a month seems too long."

Lee is also keeping options open, including joining Lee Jun-seok's new party or the People Power Party. He said, "If I leave the Democratic Party, I do not think any possibility should be excluded."

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