Whether the Primary is Postponed or Not... Lingering Conflict Within the Democratic Party

Final Decision at Supreme Council on 25th
Representative Song Young-gil: "Polls Show Overwhelming Support for Status Quo"
Party Affairs Committee Approves Formation of Election Commission
Yeon-gi Pa Members Intensify Opposition

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a speech at the party members' meeting discussing the 'postponement of the primary election' held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 25th to make a final decision on whether to postpone next year’s presidential primary election, but internal conflicts are expected to deepen regardless of the outcome. Lawmakers advocating for the postponement expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, "Isn't the conclusion already decided?" If the party’s Supreme Council reaches a ‘no postponement’ decision on the 25th, as Party Leader Song Young-gil intends, those lawmakers said on the 23rd that they are considering countermeasures such as convening a party affairs committee. They plan to reject the final decision and demand additional actions.

However, on the 23rd, Leader Song appeared on the radio and reiterated his determination to put an end to the controversy with his authority as party leader, saying, "Only the party leader’s decision remains." He said, "At the (22nd) lawmakers’ meeting, many were in favor of postponement, but if you look at the public opinion polls, an overwhelming majority want to proceed as scheduled," and sharply criticized the opposing lawmakers, asking, "If that’s the case, why did you elect the party leader?" On the same day, Cho Jung-sik, a lawmaker from the Lee Jae-myung faction, said on the radio, "The leadership’s decision is understood as preparing to select the presidential candidate 180 days in advance according to the principle," adding, "I think Leader Song also feels that this must proceed according to the principle, and that is the prevailing atmosphere."

However, lawmakers from the Lee Nak-yeon and Chung Sye-kyun factions, who advocate postponing the primary, have been increasing their level of opposition even before the Supreme Council meeting. A lawmaker from the Lee Nak-yeon faction said in a phone call that day, "Leader Song seems to want to go his own way regardless of the majority opinion of the lawmakers. This is not dictatorship, but if he continues, he could be impeached," warning. He added, "If that is the will of the majority, then going that way is what the party leader should do." A lawmaker from the Chung Sye-kyun faction said, "There is dissatisfaction emerging," and "For now, we will wait and see the results of the Supreme Council meeting on the 25th."

Meanwhile, on the morning of the 23rd, Leader Song convened a party affairs committee meeting and approved the establishment and composition of the Central Election Commission and the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening. Lawmaker Lee Sang-min will serve as the chair of the Election Commission, and Yoon Kwan-seok, the party secretary-general, will chair the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening.