Non-Lee Faction Begins to Stir... 'Lee Jae Myung's Second Election Law Trial' Seen as Key Turning Point

Choiilhoe, Non-Lee Faction Gathering, to Discuss Political Landscape with Chung Sye Kyun
Pressure for Candidate Replacement Expected to Mount if Lee Is Found Guilty in Appeals Trial

As support for the Democratic Party of Korea, led by Lee Jae Myung, remains stagnant, the voices of the non-Lee (anti-Lee Jae Myung) faction-who had previously kept a low profile-are growing louder. These members are pointing out the limitations of the 'Lee Jae Myung-centered system' and are now actively expanding their influence within the party ahead of an early presidential election.

According to political sources on February 4, Choiilhoe, a major gathering of non-Lee members outside the National Assembly, is expected to meet with former Prime Minister Chung Sye Kyun as early as next week to discuss the current political situation. Choiilhoe is an organization consisting of about ten former lawmakers from the non-Lee faction, including Park Kwang On, Kang Byung Won, Kim Chul Min, Song Gap Seok, Park Yong Jin, Shin Dong Kun, Yang Ki Dae, and Yoon Young Chan. Through lectures and political discourse, they have been voicing criticism and checks against the Democratic Party system led by Lee. A Choiilhoe representative said that the meeting with former Prime Minister Chung would be more of a dinner conversation than a regular lecture session.

The so-called 'New Three Kims'-Kim Dong Yeon (Governor of Gyeonggi Province), Kim Kyung Soo (former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province), and Kim Boo Kyum (former Prime Minister)-who are considered potential presidential candidates from the non-Lee faction, are also beginning to make their moves. Among them, former Governor Kim Kyung Soo's activities are particularly notable. Next week, he is expected to meet with former lawmaker Kim Du Kwan to discuss the political landscape following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, including the possibility of constitutional amendment. Recently, former Governor Kim has been making his presence felt by publicly pressuring Lee to push for constitutional reform. On this day, he wrote on social media, "There is no reason for the Democratic Party to be passive about constitutional reform that can alleviate public anxiety," and added, "The political community must responsibly prepare for the aftermath of impeachment."

Yonhap News Agency

The timing of the non-Lee faction's full-scale movement is expected to hinge on the outcome of Lee Jae Myung's second trial for violating the Public Official Election Act. If Lee is found guilty in the second trial, the non-Lee faction is likely to intensify the narrative of an early presidential election crisis and actively pursue the possibility of replacing the candidate. Lee's stagnant approval ratings as a presidential candidate are also noteworthy. Hong Hyung Sik, director of Hankil Research, said in a phone interview, "The non-Lee faction will begin to move in earnest when the gap in approval ratings between Lee and his rivals narrows to single digits," and added, "With the focus shifting to judging Lee Jae Myung in a presidential race scenario following President Yoon's impeachment, the approval ratings of presidential candidates are now more important than those of the parties."

During this process, there is also the possibility of a repeat of last year's factional strife within the party that occurred ahead of the general election. As the voices of the non-Lee faction grow louder, hardline pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae Myung) party members have reignited the 'watermelon controversy.' The watermelon controversy refers to an incident where non-Lee members within the Democratic Party were disparaged-likened to watermelons that are green on the outside but red on the inside-leading to internal conflict. As former Governor Kim Kyung Soo raises his profile, hardline pro-Lee members are flooding the party's online bulletin board with posts criticizing him. Political commentator Park Sang Byung commented, "Lee Jae Myung's judicial risks have significantly increased his public disapproval," and predicted, "If the appeals court delivers a verdict that nullifies his election, not only will there be a surge in calls for his replacement within the Democratic Party, but the general public will also demand a new candidate."

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