"Sell Fake Medicine?" vs "Priority on Regime Re-election"... Ruling Party Divided Over 'Primary Postponement' Decision

Yeo Leadership Finalizes Primary Postponement to 25th
Earlier Conflicts Among Party Presidential Candidates Over Delay
"Must Not Break Promise to Party Members" vs "Refusal to Discuss Violates Party Charter"

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), Kim Yong-min (right), Kim Young-bae, and other Democratic Party leadership are entering the members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 22nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The Democratic Party of Korea is experiencing internal strife over whether to postpone the presidential primary election. The party leadership had planned to make a final decision on the postponement on the 22nd, but after repeated conflicts, the decision was ultimately postponed to the 25th.

The ruling party's presidential candidates are also divided on the issue of postponing the primary. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who is leading the party's presidential candidate approval ratings, insists on proceeding with the primary as scheduled, maintaining a principled stance. However, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun remain firm in their position that discussions on postponement are necessary.

The Democratic Party leadership held a Supreme Council meeting on the afternoon of the 22nd to discuss whether to postpone the presidential primary but ultimately failed to reach a conclusion. The party leadership's final decision is expected to be made on the 25th.

Regarding this, Democratic Party senior spokesperson Ko Yong-jin stated after the meeting, "Based on the current party constitution's regulation of 'selection 180 days prior,' the Presidential Primary Planning Committee will report a plan including the election schedule to the Supreme Council on the 25th," adding, "After receiving that report, a final decision will be made." According to the current Democratic Party constitution and regulations, candidates must be confirmed at least six months before the presidential election.

As for the reason for postponing the final decision, he explained, "The intention is to create a plan according to the regulations in the party constitution and, if there are issues during that process, to discuss and decide accordingly," adding, "It is somewhat of a compromise."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is answering questions from reporters after delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'Democratic Peace Plaza and Success Forum Joint Discussion' held on the afternoon of the 15th at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Opinions among Democratic Party presidential candidates are sharply divided over the postponement of the primary. Lee, who is leading in approval ratings, opposes postponement and maintains a 'principled' stance, while other candidates such as former leader Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and Assemblyman Lee Kwang-jae are urging for a delay.

On the 17th, more than 60 'non-Lee Jae-myung faction' lawmakers within the Democratic Party took collective action. They demanded the postponement of the primary and requested the leadership to convene a party members' meeting.

Amid ongoing internal conflicts, Democratic Party presidential candidates have been engaging in heated debates through interviews and social media platforms.

On the 15th, after attending a discussion commemorating the 21st anniversary of the June 15th Joint Declaration at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Lee emphasized his principled stance to reporters, saying, "The era of selling fake medicine is over," and "We must secure loyal supporters through quality and trust and provide confidence to the people."

In response, former Prime Minister Chung replied in a CBS radio interview three days later on the 18th, stating, "The dignity of a politician's words is important. It was important in the past, is important now, and will be important in the future."

He continued, "If necessary, we should have sufficient discussions and make a desirable decision," emphasizing, "It is important to consider what is advantageous for regime reestablishment beyond the interests of any individual candidate."

Former Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun, a presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

Verbal clashes among Democratic Party lawmakers have also intensified. Assemblyman Kim Byung-wook, a member of the Lee Jae-myung faction, strongly criticized those advocating for postponement in a post on his Facebook on the 20th, saying, "Engage in politics that keep promises."

He added, "The rule to select the presidential candidate 180 days in advance was agreed upon at the party delegates' meeting in August last year, and overturning it in less than a year breaks promises made to party members and the public," expressing concern, "I worry about how the public will view the party's act of flipping the party constitution, which is the party's fundamental law, as easily as turning over one's hand."

On the other hand, Assemblyman Cho Seung-rae, spokesperson for former Prime Minister Chung's campaign, issued a statement the same day, saying, "The demand to discuss the timing of the primary is compliance with the party constitution, and refusal to discuss it violates the party constitution," adding, "If any party official submits a proposal to change the primary timing to the party affairs committee, the party leader must convene, deliberate, and resolve the party affairs committee meeting, which must be held in June."

Targeting Lee's camp, Assemblyman Cho emphasized, "They slander free discussion guaranteed by the party constitution and regulations with abusive language such as quack and greed," and urged, "All candidates should approach the issue of primary timing with principles that prioritize regime reestablishment over personal interests and respect the party constitution and regulations."