Pro-Myung Faction Moves to Reappoint Lee Jae-myung as Democratic Party Leader

Jeong Cheong-rae "Creating Atmosphere for Party Leader Reappointment"
Choo Mi-ae Organizes National Assembly Speaker Transition... Voices of Opposition Also Raised

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is currently hospitalized due to health issues, while efforts to endorse his reappointment as party leader by Democratic Party lawmakers continue. The race for the Speaker of the National Assembly also reflects Lee’s intentions, known as 'Myeongsim' (明心), indicating that his influence is growing in the 22nd National Assembly.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Yoon Young-duk, co-leader of the Democratic Union, are attending the joint meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Democratic Union unification committee held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated on his social media on the 12th, "To create the 22nd reform National Assembly as the people desire, the reappointment of the leader is indispensable," adding, "I hope Leader Lee will make the decision to be reappointed as party leader, which is the best choice and outcome the Democratic Party can have, with a spirit of putting the party before oneself." Jeong Cheong-rae, the senior Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, went further by declaring he would create an environment for Lee’s reappointment. On the 11th, he said on social media, "(Leader Lee) will be able to fully demonstrate his political capabilities if he serves as party leader once more," and "I will foster a mood to endorse his reappointment as party leader."

Public opinion is sharply divided over Lee’s reappointment, but as no alternative figure emerges, the Lee-led system is solidifying. According to a survey conducted by Newsis through the public opinion research firms Kukmin Research Group and Ace Research from the 8th to 9th, polling 1,000 men and women nationwide aged 18 and older, 45% opposed Lee Jae-myung’s reappointment, while 44% supported it.

Choo Mi-ae, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference for her candidacy for the Speaker of the National Assembly at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

From the formation of the floor leadership team, the possibility of Lee’s reappointment is increasing. Newly appointed floor leader Park Chan-dae, along with Park Seong-jun, chief deputy floor leader for operations, and Kim Yong-min, chief deputy floor leader for policy, are all classified as pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) factions. On the 9th, Park Chan-dae said on MBC’s 'Newsroom News Extra' regarding Lee’s reappointment, "Personally, it is unfortunate, but for the party, it is better to unite tightly under a strong leadership system to accomplish reform tasks than to have Park Chan-dae do it alone," adding, "Many party members perceive Leader Lee as the commander who will lead the opposition under the Yoon Seok-youl government."

The coordination of the Speaker of the National Assembly candidate to Choo Mi-ae, a Democratic Party elected member, is also interpreted as a move to support Lee’s reappointment. Pro-Lee faction lawmaker Jo Jeong-sik announced that he would withdraw from the candidacy after unifying with Choo, stating, "I withdraw from the candidacy to become a catalyst for a reform National Assembly that fulfills the public’s will from the general election, with the Democratic Party elected members and party members united." However, there are voices opposing this move. Another candidate for Speaker, Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Won-shik, said, "The overwhelming victory by the people in this general election was not because the Democratic Party did well," and added, "It is truly regrettable to talk about unification as if dividing positions despite the runoff."

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