"Changes in the Opposition Will Stimulate the Ruling Party to Spark Policy Competition"
"The Democratic Party Is Likely to Hinder Rather Than Welcome Change"
Candidate Lee Jun-seok, who is running for the leadership election of the People Power Party, is presenting his vision at the 1st Party Convention Vision Presentation of the People Power Party held on the 25th at Nurikum Square in Mapo-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Im Miri, a research professor at Korea University’s Korean History Research Institute, who was reported by the Democratic Party for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act after contributing a column titled 'Everyone Except the Democratic Party' last year, predicted that the 'Lee Jun-seok whirlwind' would be unfavorable to the Democratic Party. She argued that the emergence of new talents in the opposition party could broaden its support base.
On the 27th, Professor Im wrote on her Facebook, "Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae said about the Lee Jun-seok whirlwind that 'People Power Party might disappear,'" and pointed out, "It was a kind of threat to People Power Party supporters who hope for Lee Jun-seok as party leader, a statement born out of fear."
She added, "They are afraid that People Power Party will expand its base and gain governing capability," and noted, "Even Kim Woong, the most atypical figure in People Power Party, is making progress."
Professor Im argued that changes in the opposition party could be beneficial to the public. She explained, "While this atmosphere in People Power Party may be unfavorable to the Democratic Party, it will be advantageous to the people because changes in the opposition party can stimulate the ruling party and trigger policy competition."
She also criticized, "As shown by Jung Cheong-rae’s remarks, it is presumed that the Democratic Party will hinder rather than welcome changes in the opposition party."
Earlier, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok sparked the so-called 'Lee Jun-seok whirlwind' by ranking first in various party leadership candidate approval rating polls. In the preliminary party leader election (cutoff) announced on the 28th, former Supreme Council member Lee advanced to the final round along with former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, lawmaker Joo Ho-young, lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae, and lawmaker Hong Moon-pyo.
However, some within the ruling party argued that this phenomenon could negatively affect the opposition party. On the 25th, lawmaker Jung appeared on TBS Radio’s 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory' and said, "There is nothing bad for us if former Supreme Council member Lee becomes party leader," adding, "If he becomes party leader, People Power Party might disappear without a trace."
He further stated, "People Power Party is operating with extreme centrifugal force," and predicted, "With the 'Yoon Seok-yeol post,' it is actually in an unstable state. Especially after going through the presidential election phase, there will be considerable confusion."
Meanwhile, Professor Im wrote a column titled 'Everyone Except the Democratic Party' ahead of the April 15 general election last year, criticizing the Democratic Party. In response, the Democratic Party reported Professor Im for alleged pre-election campaigning and encouraging voting participation. The prosecution dismissed the pre-election campaigning charges and issued a suspended indictment for the voting participation encouragement activities.
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