"Will Never Let the Presidential Election Happen"
Critical Posts on the Democratic Party Bulletin Board
Lee Supporters Demand "Apology" in Retaliation
Factional Conflict Resurfaces as a Lingering Issue
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The shackles binding Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung were released following the Supreme Court's acquittal ruling. However, the fervent supporters of the 'Chinmun (pro-Moon Jae-in)' faction strongly opposed, saying "a remand for retrial is not an acquittal," leaving the conflict between Governor Lee and the faction as an unresolved issue.
On the 16th, when the Supreme Court delivered a remand ruling with an acquittal for Governor Lee's charge of spreading false information, the fervent supporters of the Chinmun faction strongly opposed it through the Democratic Party's bulletin board. On that day, the Democratic Party members' board was flooded with voices criticizing Governor Lee, saying, "Is this a party that covers up lies?" and "We will never let him run in the presidential election." A quotation from the dissenting opinion that mentioned the possibility of guilt for Governor Lee at the time of the Supreme Court ruling was also posted. The level of criticism was even higher than the Future United Party's remark on the same day that "the judiciary legally acquitted him, but politically he is guilty." In response, Governor Lee's supporters reacted strongly. On the bulletin board, Lee's supporters confronted the Chinmun supporters, saying, "You have indiscriminately slandered (Governor Lee) until now, so kneel down and apologize," showing signs of escalating conflict.
While the Supreme Court ruling on Governor Lee was being broadcast live, Democratic Party lawmakers showed relief at the National Assembly where President Moon Jae-in was delivering the opening speech. A Democratic Party lawmaker, Jeong Seong-ho, known as a political ally of Governor Lee, was spotted by the media sending a text message in the plenary session hall saying, "Justice has been served, you worked hard."
Leading party candidates, former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum and lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon, also expressed their welcome. After President Moon's opening speech that day, Lee said to reporters, "Congratulations. This is also good news for the residents of Gyeonggi Province." Former lawmaker Kim also posted on Facebook, "As a member of the Democratic Party, today is truly a very fortunate day."
Governor Lee ran in the 2017 Democratic Party presidential primary and clashed with the Chinmun faction. A representative conflict was the 'Hyegyeonggung Kimssi' incident. The social network service (SNS) account named 'Hyegyeonggung Kimssi' spread allegations of employment favoritism involving President Moon's son, and suspicions arose that the owner of this account was Governor Lee's wife, causing controversy. At that time, the prosecution dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence.
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