Yang Hyang-ja: "Democrats cheer for Lee Jae-myung's 'Gaeddal'... Like YouTubers dancing to Super Chat"

'Opposing Geomsu Wanbak' Yang Hyang-ja Withdraws Reinstatement Application

Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja has withdrawn her application to rejoin the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), sharply criticizing the party.

On the 18th, Yang stated on Facebook, "Although the suspicions that forced me to leave the party have been legally cleared, there is no party for me to return to now," adding, "The Democratic Party I joined is not the current Democratic Party."

She continued, "The Democratic Party I entered six years ago, holding President Moon Jae-in's hand, was democratic and innovative. Now, it feels like a military unit moving in strict unison without democracy or innovation," and said, "All 172 members of the National Assembly have proposed bills that many citizens are concerned about. I do not oppose the party leader (Song Young-gil), who lost the presidential election and is the eldest of the '586 generation' who called for '596 generation's retirement,' running for Seoul mayor just 20 days after resigning."

She further stated, "I applaud the strange situation where the presidential candidate (Lee Jae-myung), who lost the election, returns to politics within a month, runs in a region with no ties, and a by-election candidate serves as the head of the local election campaign team," and argued, "To prevent a complete defeat in the local elections, Song Young-gil and Lee Jae-myung should resign even now."

Photo by Yang Hyung-ja, captured from Facebook.

Yang said, "The Democratic Party is a weak team that lost the presidential election and does not have a larger or stronger support base than its rivals. To the public, it is not more righteous than the People Power Party," and criticized, "However, the Democratic Party thinks of itself as a 'strong team' and believes 'only we are right.' It was the same during the presidential election. Since there is still no reflection, the possibility of losing the local elections is very high."

She added, "The emergence of 'Gaeddal' (Daughters of Reform, referring to female supporters in their 20s and 30s) is welcome and appreciated, but caution is needed. The current Democratic Party cheering for 'Gaeddal' looks like YouTubers dancing for super chats," and criticized, "Forces with extreme and dogmatic views, like the 'Cheoreomhoe' (a group of hardline first-term DPK lawmakers), are obstacles to expanding the party's base."

Yang emphasized, "The Democratic Party that the public wants is not the current Democratic Party. Politics should worry about the people, but now the people are worrying about politics. Instead of reaching out to struggling citizens, the Democratic Party repeatedly asks the people for strength," and said, "Rather than being supported for boldness, it is begging bold citizens for support. Although Adviser Lee Jae-myung is regrettable and pitiful and will immediately receive votes, he will ultimately be consumed. Running in the district vacated by Song Young-gil is also just awkward."

She continued, "Many citizens, including myself, have worked hard for the Democratic Party's victory and still hope for it. However, the current Democratic Party regards many people who worry about the party, including me, as enemies," and stated, "The Democratic Party of Song Young-gil and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Cheoreomhoe, must become the people's Democratic Party again. There is nothing I can do in the current Democratic Party."

Yang voluntarily left the Democratic Party last August due to a sexual misconduct scandal involving her staff but submitted an application to rejoin the party at the end of last year, judging that the suspicions had been resolved. She also recently expressed opposition to the so-called '검수완박' (complete removal of prosecution's investigative powers) bill.