Six Senior Lawmakers Criticize Hardline Supporters... "Hindering Party Development"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Six senior lawmakers of the Democratic Party criticized hardline party members, saying, "Hostility and intolerance toward opinions even slightly different from one's own is an act that hinders the party's development."

On the 15th, they stated this in a position paper and referred to a statement issued under the name of 'All Rights-holding Party Members,' pointing out, "This is an act of impersonating all rights-holding party members and may violate the party constitution, party regulations, and relevant laws, so appropriate measures should be taken." The position paper included the names of non-mainstream senior lawmakers such as five-term lawmakers Byeon Jae-il, Lee Sang-min, Ahn Min-seok, and four-term lawmakers No Woong-rae, Ahn Kyu-baek, and Jung Sung-ho.

Earlier, on the 13th, a 'Rights-holding Party Members Statement' criticizing first-term lawmakers who mentioned the 'Cho Kuk incident' as one of the causes of the April 7 by-election defeat was posted on the Democratic Party's rights-holding party members bulletin board, using expressions such as "rebellion of first-term lawmakers" and "ungrateful behavior."

In response, the senior lawmakers emphasized, "We should listen to the opinions raised by first-term lawmakers as a reflection on the election defeat as they are, and actively incorporate valid content into the party's policy direction," adding, "If anyone should take the blame, we senior lawmakers will take greater responsibility on their behalf." Regarding the by-election defeat, they said, "As senior members of the party, we deeply feel responsible and sincerely reflect on our failure to properly apply the brakes on drifting away from public sentiment," and added, "Warnings sounded repeatedly inside and outside the party, but we failed to listen properly. We were insensitive to admitting mistakes and taking responsibility."

Regarding real estate policy, they stated, "We must urgently resolve the dreams of homeownership for the working class and middle class, as well as tax burden issues," and added, "We will establish proper standards for fairness and justice that have been questioned and prepare multifaceted measures for the youth."