Lee Wins Over 70% in Regional Primary
Pro-Moon Faction Actively Restrains Actions on Various Issues
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Ahead of the August 28 Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) National Convention, the 'Expanded Myeong (Definitely Lee Jae-myung as Party Leader)' dynamic has become clear, causing the pro-Moon faction to disappear from the scene. With pro-Lee Jae-myung candidates emerging as the leading contenders, they have refrained from voicing clear opinions on internal party matters.
In the recent regional primary vote counts conducted by the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for party leader, achieved a landslide victory by consistently surpassing the 70% mark. In the August 13 primaries in Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Busan, he recorded a cumulative vote share of 74.59%, solidifying the Expanded Myeong trend. In contrast, candidate Park Yong-jin received 20.70%, and candidate Kang Hoon-sik garnered 4.71%.
Among the candidates for Supreme Council member, pro-Lee Jae-myung candidates also ranked high. As of that day, the cumulative vote shares were: candidate Jeong Cheong-rae at 28.44% in first place, and candidate Ko Min-jung at 21.77% in second place. Following them were candidates Park Chan-dae (11.66%), Jang Kyung-tae (10.94%), and Seo Young-kyo (10.33%) within the top five. Except for candidate Ko Min-jung, who is within the top five and can be elected as a Supreme Council member, all others are classified as pro-Lee Jae-myung figures.
With Lee’s election virtually assured, the pro-Moon faction is adopting a cautious stance. As demands for revising Article 80 of the party constitution have increased among party members, pro-Moon key figure Representative Jeon Hae-cheol stated on Facebook on the 10th, "Article 80 of the party constitution was part of the party innovation plan approved during Moon Jae-in’s tenure as party leader in 2015." He added, "At that time, the Democratic Party, then the opposition, voluntarily relinquished vested interests and pledged to decisively break away from corruption, preparing the innovation plan as a promise to the public." Notably, he indirectly referred to candidate Lee by calling it a "party constitution revision related to a specific candidate."
However, contrary to expectations, other pro-Moon lawmakers did not show direct movements. This is quite different from the past when key lawmakers such as Jeon and Hong Young-pyo led collective voices or struggles. In phone interviews with this outlet, lawmakers expressed negative opinions such as "There is no need for revision, so why decide now?" and "There will be accusations that this is a shield for candidate Lee," but refrained from making public statements.
Regarding the Party Convention Preparation Committee’s consensus to discard the Moon Jae-in administration’s real estate policy directions such as "income-led growth" and "one household, one house" in the party platform, they showed a similar pattern. Pro-Moon Supreme Council candidate Representative Yoon Young-chan voiced opposition to the platform revision on Facebook that day, but other lawmakers were reluctant to express opinions. One pro-Moon lawmaker said in a phone interview, "I will wait and see how far this goes," while another stated, "I have always opposed income-led growth."
As the Democratic Party suffers consecutive election defeats, analysis suggests that the pro-Moon faction will no longer consolidate. This is because they cannot be free from responsibility for the previous Moon Jae-in administration, and a new faction centered around candidate Lee is forming.
Some speculate that this change in attitude is with an eye toward nominations for upcoming local elections. There are concerns that if candidate Lee becomes party leader and gains nomination rights, those distant from him will be disadvantaged in nominations. A party insider said, "If candidate Lee gains nomination rights, the first to be hit will be the 'anti-Lee Jae-myung faction' or the pro-Moon faction," adding, "As the election approaches, it will no longer be easy to openly oppose candidate Lee."
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