Seclusion Without Messages
Lee Nak-yeon Side: "Likely to Act Only After Injunction Result Comes Out"
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] For the Democratic Party of Korea to fully reorganize under the presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung’s leadership, the participation of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who faced off against Lee in the primary, in the ‘One Team’ is essential. However, Lee Nak-yeon has yet to send any significant messages and continues to remain secluded.
A source from Lee Nak-yeon’s camp said in a phone call on the 21st, "It has been less than a week since Lee Nak-yeon’s camp held its disbandment ceremony," adding, "At the very least, there will be movement after the court issues a ruling on the injunction request submitted by supporters." On the 14th, Lee’s supporters filed an injunction request with the court to suspend the effect of the Democratic Party primary results, which confirmed the presidential candidate without a runoff vote. The decision is expected as early as this week. However, since Lee has accepted the primary results, the likelihood of the injunction being granted is low.
After the legal judgment on the primary results is finalized, Lee will have little justification to refuse meeting the party’s presidential candidate. Therefore, a meeting between the two politicians will likely take place in some form, but it is unlikely that Lee will take the initiative. Considering Lee’s disposition, it does not seem probable that he will immediately join the unified election committee and readily endorse Lee Jae-myung as the ‘right candidate for president.’
Additionally, Lee Jae-myung and party leader Song Young-gil have publicly appeared to urge Lee Nak-yeon, but some reactions suggest this approach may actually hinder a meeting. Just the day before, Song said, "Once the National Assembly audit ends and Lee Jae-myung resigns as governor of Gyeonggi Province, they should be able to meet immediately."
Supporters of Lee Nak-yeon continue to hang banners saying “We love Lee Nak-yeon” in various places even after his primary defeat, refusing to give Lee Jae-myung any space, which remains a challenge for the party and Lee Jae-myung.
Lee Nak-yeon’s camp expressed regret, saying, "Since 4 out of 10 supporters of Lee Nak-yeon said they would rather vote for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl in next year’s presidential election, it seems that Lee Jae-myung’s side has no plan on how to win back these defectors."
Meanwhile, a Realmeter survey commissioned by OhmyNews conducted on November 11-12 among 2,027 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide (response rate 5.2%, margin of error ±2.2 percentage points at 95% confidence level) showed that among 604 respondents who said they supported Lee Nak-yeon in the recent Democratic Party primary, only 14.2% said they would vote for Lee Jae-myung. In contrast, 40.3% said they would choose former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, the highest proportion. For detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission or the Realmeter website.
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