Lee "I Will Build a Winning Democratic Party" Announces Candidacy for Party Leader
Rival Candidates Criticize as "Candidacy for Protection" and "Deepening Party Division"
Focus on Whether Anti-Lee Factions Will Unite Before Cutoff on 28th
Lee Jae-myung, who declared his candidacy for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering questions from reporters after paying respects at the grave of President Kim Dae-jung at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 18th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declared his candidacy for the party leader election at the August 28 party convention. This announcement comes four months after his defeat in the March 9 presidential election and just over a month after entering the National Assembly through a by-election. However, concerns remain about his decision to run amid numerous challenges, including resolving various allegations and unifying the party.
On the 17th, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "I will change everything except the 'Democratic Party' until the people say 'enough.' As a 'pragmatic party for the people's livelihood,' we will definitely win the next general election." He declared his challenge for party leadership, presenting five tasks for a 'winning Democratic Party': future, competence, strength, innovation, and unity. He emphasized, "If I fail in this mission, the era of Lee Jae-myung's historical calling will also end."
With overwhelming support in opinion polls and no strong competitors, the dominant view is that the 'Eodaemyeong (Anyway, the leader is Lee Jae-myung)' scenario will come true. However, some point out that Lee faces significant hurdles to both running for and winning the party leadership.
The biggest issue is the ongoing 'judicial risk' due to investigations by prosecutors and police. Currently, investigations into allegations of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project, illegal donations to Seongnam FC, and lawyer fee payments are intensifying. Analysts suggest that if Lee is elected party leader, the ruling party and administration's efforts to shake the Democratic Party amid these judicial risks will become even more intense.
After his candidacy announcement, Lee responded to reporters' questions by saying, "What kind of judicial risk is it when the ruling party files complaints and the prosecution and police cooperate with them? Does being accused always mean judicial risk?" showing signs of discomfort. However, other party leadership candidates competing against him are focusing their attacks, arguing that the judicial risk poses a danger to the entire party.
Kang Byung-won, a member of the '97 Group' who was the first to declare his candidacy for party leader, criticized on his Facebook on the 17th, "If Lee becomes party leader, he will claim that all investigations against him are political retaliation and fight back," adding, "How long must our party struggle to protect Lee Jae-myung's time?" Park Yong-jin, also from the 97 Group, demanded a clear response from Lee in a March 15 interview with News1, stating, "Just because you claim visible risks don't exist doesn't mean the risks disappear."
The task of unifying the party, divided by factional conflicts between pro-Lee and anti-Lee groups, also emerged. Previously, forces opposing Lee's bid for party leadership mentioned the possibility of a party split, confronting the pro-Lee faction. Seol Hoon, who announced his candidacy against Lee, criticized on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 18th, "It is a common view that if Lee becomes party leader, division will occur within the party," adding, "There are more people in the anti-Lee faction than the pro-Lee faction. If Lee becomes leader, this division will deepen, so how will we conduct the general election?"
With Lee's official candidacy, efforts to check him are expected to grow. Attention is focused on whether the anti-Lee candidates will unify to halt the 'Eodaemyeong' momentum. On the 18th, Lee Won-wook said on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "Most party leadership candidates say they will declare unification before the preliminary election," predicting, "If the party leader election is held as a one-on-one contest between Lee and another candidate, it could change from 'Anyway, Lee Jae-myung' to 'Perhaps Lee Jae-myung.'" Seol also expressed a positive stance on unification, saying, "Unification can create a winning chance."
Meanwhile, after declaring his candidacy, Lee is expected to focus on visiting grassroots sites to address people's livelihood issues. On the 18th, Lee visited cleaning workers at Yonsei University demanding improved labor conditions for his first public external schedule after announcing his candidacy, holding an on-site meeting. Earlier that morning, he visited the tomb of former President Kim Dae-jung and reaffirmed his commitment to his candidacy, stating, "Just as President Kim Dae-jung did, I will devote myself entirely to creating a winning Democratic Party."
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