'Unified Demand' Silent Lee Jae-myung... "A Turmoil Will Come in February Next Year"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, remains silent despite escalating internal conflicts due to 'factional strife.' However, there are observations within and outside the party that a blueprint for candidate nominations led by Lee is being finalized, and that a 'time of upheaval' will come around February next year, coinciding with the potential realization of judicial risks.

According to political circles on the 27th, as Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, set 'waiving immunity from arrest' as a condition for nomination, demands for reform within the Democratic Party are intensifying. Former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has begun practical work aiming to establish a new party in January next year, along with reformist groups such as 'Principles and Common Sense,' have set a deadline by the end of the year and are demanding a transition to a 'unified emergency committee' based on Lee Jae-myung's resignation. However, inside and outside the Democratic Party, the possibility of Lee Jae-myung making a decision on his position in the near future is considered low.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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A Democratic Party lawmaker with a legal background said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "The impact could grow around the Lunar New Year and the trials related to Lee." The Lunar New Year holiday begins on February 9 next year, and the first trial date for the Baekhyeon-dong case is set for the 13th, right after the holiday. If key lobbyist Kim In-seop and others in the Baekhyeon-dong case are found guilty, it is inevitable that the trial for Lee, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act for statements implying "threats from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport" related to this case, will also be affected.

There is also a forecast that the candidate nomination process intertwined with the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party' could become a trigger for division. Although the new party itself lacks momentum, there is room for current lawmakers who were eliminated in the 'pro-Lee Jae-myung vs. anti-Lee Jae-myung' structure to join. The discord has already begun. Former Goyang Mayor Choi Sung, who challenged a pro-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmaker's constituency but was eliminated during candidate verification, declared joining the new party, claiming a 'nomination massacre.' Opposition is also expected if the election system reform settles on a 'parallel type return,' which would enable Lee Jae-myung's proportional representation candidacy scenario.

Members of the Democratic Party's reform group "Principles and Common Sense" are holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office. From left to right: Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, Yoon Young-chan, Lee Won-wook.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Voices demanding unified leadership actions are growing inside and outside the Democratic Party. Former Prime Ministers Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum have stepped in to manage the internal strife, but it is not easy. A party official said, "We understand that former Prime Minister Kim wants to play a certain role in the general election," adding, "He will not be hostile to former leader Lee, but he will not support him either."

The leadership is expected to seek a change in atmosphere through the appointment of the 'Nomination Management Committee Chairperson,' who will decide the fate of candidates running in the general election. A key party official said, "We are looking for someone free from factional perspectives and capable of responding to demands for reform," adding, "We are also open to external candidates." According to Democratic Party regulations, the Nomination Management Committee must be formed by January 1 next year, 100 days before the general election. On the 28th, the plenary session is scheduled to handle the 'dual special prosecutor law,' and a meeting between Lee Jae-myung and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is planned. Accordingly, the appointment announcement is likely to be made on the 29th.

An outside Democratic Party official predicted, "If Lee Jae-myung steps down, he will likely make a decision by gauging a point when the desired general election framework is completed and responsibility for the election results can be alleviated."

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