Rising Factions in the Protestant Camp... Concerns Over 'Factional Conflict' Rekindling

Lee Jae-myung Immediately After Discharge: "Keep the Muzzle Outside" Statement
Message Mediating Conflict Toward Pro-Lee Party Members
Also Interpreted as Warning from Non-Lee Faction Like Kim Boo-kyum and Kim Dong-yeon

Factional conflicts within the Democratic Party of Korea, which had subsided beneath the surface after the April 10 general election, are showing signs of reigniting. As non-Lee Jae-myung (bi-Lee Jae-myung) figures, including former President Moon Jae-in, begin warming up to consolidate their forces, hardline pro-Lee Jae-myung (pro-Lee) party members are raising the level of criticism against them.

According to political circles on the 28th, Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, posted on his Facebook page the previous afternoon, "Division is the cause of defeat. The muzzle should always be pointed outward," emphasizing, "Our opponent is not within, but the great evil outside." This was the first public message Lee sent after being discharged from treatment for COVID-19.

Within the party, opinions differ regarding the target of Lee's message. First, there is an interpretation that Lee’s message is a mediating one, urging hardline pro-Lee party members to refrain from making extreme remarks out of concern for factional conflicts. Recently, hardline pro-Lee party members have been closely monitoring the public moves of the bi-Lee faction.

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who served under the Moon Jae-in administration, previously stated in a radio interview, "I don't think the fact that Lee received nearly 90% support will greatly move the public." The appointment of former lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol, a key figure in the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction, as an advisory committee chair for Gyeonggi Province by Governor Kim Dong-yeon also provoked hardline party members. Hardline pro-Lee party members suspect that the bi-Lee faction is attempting to consolidate around figures like Kim Boo-kyum and Kim Dong-yeon.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

There is also an opinion that Lee’s message was directly aimed at the bi-Lee faction. As former Prime Minister Kim has announced plans for public lectures and other activities starting next month, some interpret Lee’s mention of 'division' due to factional conflicts as a direct warning. Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who is steadily gaining support as a next opposition presidential candidate following Lee, is also seen as a target of restraint.

In a 'Next Opposition Presidential Candidate Preference' survey conducted by Hangil Research on behalf of Cookie News from the 17th to the 19th, Governor Kim recorded a 7.7% support rate within the broad progressive camp, ranking second after Lee, who had 43.2%, thereby expanding his influence. (For details, refer to Hangil Research or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.)

Some in political circles believe that the recent mobilization of the bi-Lee faction is related to the upcoming second pretrial hearing scheduled for October regarding Lee’s indictment on charges of illegal North Korea remittances involving Ssangbangwool. If Lee continues to be hampered by ongoing 'judicial risks,' it is interpreted that the bi-Lee faction may accelerate its consolidation efforts as well.

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