'Criticism of Lee Jae-myung's Re-election' Spreads... Spotlight on the Pivotal Joint Meeting

Criticism is spreading regarding the amendment of party rules to relax the term limits for the party leader, centered on non-incumbent figures who were active in the Democratic Party of Korea. The establishment of an exception clause in the party rules for Lee Jae-myung's presidential candidacy is seen as a 'factionalization' process that significantly undermines the fairness of a public party. On the 5th, the Democratic Party is expected to reach a turning point in the amendment process of the party rules as it gathers internal opinions at a joint meeting of lawmakers and non-incumbent regional committee heads. It is also anticipated that the meeting will discuss the recently controversial clause separating party leadership and presidential candidacy one year in advance.

The leadership, aware of criticism inside and outside the party regarding the amendment process, stated that they will "continue discussions," signaling a slowdown. In fact, it is known that Lee recently held a session to explain the controversy over the amendment proposal to senior party members. In particular, Lee reportedly actively explained the 'resignation one year prior to presidential candidacy' clause during this session.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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The problem is that doubts within the party persist despite the leadership's explanations. This was already sensed in the 'unexpected' election of Woo Won-shik as the Democratic Party's candidate for National Assembly Speaker. A first-term lawmaker within the Democratic Party said, "Some are saying that the justification for amending the party rules is weak."

This atmosphere is interpreted as being significantly influenced by the pointed criticism from non-incumbent figures from the Democratic Party. Former Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Kyung-min pointed out that there has been no precedent of a Democratic Party leader serving consecutive terms in the party rules except for former President Kim Dae-jung (DJ). In a recent broadcast, he said, "Even in DJ's case, the party's name was changed, so it is not an exact precedent," and criticized, "This (Lee Jae-myung's consecutive term) is an unprecedented 'Emperor Shi Huang' level."

Former lawmaker Lee Soo-jin, who was eliminated in the Democratic Party's nomination process, called it a "loss of party democracy," while former lawmaker Lee Sang-min, who left the Democratic Party and joined the People Power Party, harshly criticized the Democratic Party leadership as a "private organization."

In political circles, it is expected that if the voices of criticism from non-incumbent regional committee heads grow louder at the Democratic Party joint meeting, the leadership will inevitably have to slow down the amendment process. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "If criticism that the party is becoming a factionalized organization rather than a public party continues, the leadership will also face increased pressure."

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