Lee Jae-myung Attends Opposition Workshop Today... Will He Overcome Pressure to Withdraw?

Lee Likely to Run for Party Convention
Fierce Debate Expected Over Candidacy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Jun-yi and Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, a leading candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, will attend a two-day, one-night lawmakers' workshop starting on the 23rd. This is seen as an effort to gauge the party atmosphere amid speculation about his possible run for party leader in August. It can be considered Lee’s ‘workshop utilization method.’

According to the Democratic Party, 156 lawmakers will hold the workshop this afternoon at a resort in Yesan, Chungnam. They have gathered to analyze the causes of election failures and discuss party innovation measures under the theme of ‘People’s Livelihood, Competence, and Innovation.’ During the nearly six-hour ‘final debate,’ heated discussions are expected on various internal party issues such as the party leadership election candidacy, negotiations over the formation of the National Assembly, and disciplinary actions against lawmaker Choi Kang-wook.

Lee is reportedly leaning toward running. As he has been increasing his interactions with party lawmakers through daily meals recently, he plans to use this workshop as an opportunity to secure support within the party.

However, it is likely that Lee will take a low profile and refrain from speaking much during the workshop to observe the party atmosphere. Since all candidates, including Lee, will attend, intense debates over his candidacy are expected. A representative from Lee’s camp said, “He plans to stay overnight according to the workshop schedule,” adding, “Please understand that this is a place where he will listen attentively.”

Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a meeting of re-elected lawmakers held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 22nd, talking with lawmaker Kim Jong-min. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Pressure for Lee not to run is intensifying within the party. The day before, Democratic Party lawmakers with two or more terms issued a statement effectively targeting Lee, saying those responsible for the March 9 presidential election and June 1 local election defeats should not run in the August party leadership election. A first-term Democratic Party lawmaker told this outlet, “If Lee Jae-myung becomes party leader, the ‘hostile symbiosis’ dynamic with President Yoon Seok-youl could be repeated, and mutual hatred politics relying on their respective hardline supporters could only intensify,” adding, “Since the ‘responsible party’ Yoon administration’s failures would be highlighted or the opposition’s criticism would be seen as ‘political attacks,’ he should not run.” Another two-term Democratic Party lawmaker said, “Starting from his run in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, Lee has failed to show proper leadership in Yeouido politics and remains unverified, so I do not support his candidacy.”

Two-term lawmaker Kim Jong-min said on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ regarding the workshop, “The important task of the debate is whether the leadership figures responsible for our election defeats will step forward this time or show remorse and present new energy to the people,” adding, “There are no sacred cows. Almost everything that needs to be said will be said.”