Chin Myung also criticizes... "A Democratic Party only for Lee Jae-myung is penny wise, pound foolish"

The Democratic Party of Korea is facing growing criticism from the original pro-Lee Jae-myung (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction regarding the resolution to amend the party constitution and regulations, which focus on strengthening party membership rights and exceptions to the separation of party leadership and presidential candidacy. There are concerns that this could reduce the diversity of decision-making within the party and diminish democracy.

On the 11th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-jin said in an interview with Christian Broadcasting System, "There were many lawmakers who raised issues about the (party constitution amendment), but their opinions were not reflected at all in the form in which it was resolved. I question whether this decision-making process was truly democratic." Lawmaker Kim is a key pro-Lee Jae-myung figure belonging to the '7-in group,' close aides of Lee Jae-myung.

When asked whether the amendment of the separation clause between party leadership and presidential candidacy was made to allow Lee Jae-myung to serve a consecutive term in the 2026 local elections, Kim said, "That is penny-wise and pound-foolish. I see it as unfair," and criticized, "The Democratic Party does not exist solely for Lee Jae-myung." He pointed out, "Separating party leadership and presidential candidacy and requiring the person holding party leadership to resign one year before running for president is to realize the basic values and spirit of the Democratic Party, which is to provide equal opportunities to everyone for a fair presidential election," adding, "Why make a move that invites misunderstanding when this has not been changed even once in over a decade?"

(From left) Kim Young-jin, Jung Sung-ho, Park Ji-won, members of the Democratic Party of Korea.

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He also clearly opposed the resolution to reflect party member voting results in the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the floor leader. Lawmaker Kim said, "The strength of the Democratic Party lies in recognizing differences, diversity. This could harm such aspects," and questioned, "If party member voting is reflected even in the election of the floor leader and the Speaker, would the floor leader and Speaker be able to work properly if they only pay attention to some party members and listen to the loudest voices?"

Jung Sung-ho, also from the same party and known as the leader of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, also voiced criticism. Last month, Lawmaker Jung said, "Members of the National Assembly are representatives of party members and political parties, but fundamentally they are representatives of the people." He mentioned, "It is common for the Speaker of the National Assembly to be a candidate recommended by the majority party, but the entire National Assembly members elect the Speaker," and added, "Is it right to uniformly reflect 20% of party members' opinions? More detailed and delicate review is needed in this regard."

Senior Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won also expressed his view on the recent amendment to the party constitution and regulations, saying, "I cannot understand why they voluntarily take on something that invites criticism." On the same day on SBS YouTube, he said, "There is a saying not to tie your hat string under a plum tree," and added, "There is no need to amend the party constitution and regulations even to dispel misunderstandings that it is to extend Lee Jae-myung's term."

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