Lee Hae-chan: "Do Not Falsely Claim to Represent the Moon Jae-in Government and the Democratic Party" Targeting Open Democratic Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, targeted the Open Democratic Party, saying, "Do not falsely claim to represent the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th, Lee said, "Some individuals who left the Democratic Party have created a proportional representation party with a similar name, but I ask that they do not falsely claim to represent the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party."

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He emphasized support for the Civic Party, not the Open Democratic Party, saying, "The Together Citizens' Party is the only proportional coalition party that participated through a vote of all Democratic Party members and the only party that will produce proportional representatives to support the stable governance of the Moon Jae-in administration."

He continued, "The Democratic Party will support the Civic Party to the fullest extent possible, both materially and spiritually, within the limits allowed by the Political Parties Act and the Election Act," adding, "Since I am not running for office, I can legally campaign for the Civic Party."

He also said, "I earnestly ask Democratic Party lawmakers and Democratic Party members and reporters to support the Civic Party in ways that fit their own lives."

Earlier, Yoon Ho-jung, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, also drew a clear line against the Open Democratic Party, saying, "The Open Democratic Party has no relation whatsoever with our Democratic Party," and "Those who were rejected or deemed unqualified in the Democratic Party's candidate screening are trying to revive themselves through the Open Democratic Party, which is a challenge to our party's nomination system."

The Open Democratic Party, led by former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju and independent lawmaker Son Hye-won, is composed of pro-government figures such as former Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom and former Hanwha Investment & Securities CEO Joo Jin-hyung. Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju founded the Open Democratic Party after being deemed unqualified in the Democratic Party's candidate screening.