What is the Court's Ruling on the 'Emergency Committee Suspension'? The Fate of People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok Hangs in the Balance

Third Court Hearing, Legitimacy of 'Emergency Committee Launch After Party Charter Amendment' at Issue
Ruling Expected to Dismiss Injunction, Ruling Could Trigger Early Party Convention Despite Ruling
Lee, Hoping to Return as Party Leader, Faces Ethics Committee 'Expulsion' and Police Investigation Variables

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok (left), Emergency Response Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok (right).

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] The court today (28th) commenced the third hearing on the injunction application filed by former People Power Party (PPP) leader Lee Jun-seok. As the court's decision will determine the future political fate of both the PPP and former leader Lee, both sides are closely monitoring the outcome.

The Civil Division 51 of the Seoul Southern District Court collectively opened the 3rd to 5th injunction hearings filed by former leader Lee against the PPP on the morning of the 28th. The injunction requests are △suspension of the effect of the National Committee resolution that amended the party constitution to introduce conditions for transitioning to a provisional leadership committee (3rd) △suspension of the effect of the National Committee resolution that decided on the execution of duties and appointment of Provisional Chairman Jeong Jin-seok (4th) △suspension of the effect of the National Committee decision that decided on the execution of duties and appointment of six provisional committee members (5th). The core issue is the legitimacy of the party constitution amendment.

Former leader Lee is hoping the court will once again side with him, as it did in the first injunction decision that suspended the duties of then Provisional Chairman Joo Ho-young. If the injunction is granted and both the 1st and 2nd provisional leadership committees collapse, it will strengthen his claim that the party has been taking illegitimate measures to oust him. Since Lee’s side has stated that the transition to the provisional leadership committee is invalid and "Lee Jun-seok has the right to return as party leader on January 9 next year," it appears that Lee will prepare to resume his leadership position after his party membership suspension ends.

On the other hand, if the injunction application is granted, the Jeong Jin-seok provisional leadership committee will collapse in less than a month since its launch. The party’s transition to a provisional leadership committee through the party constitution amendment will be blocked, and it is highly likely that the party will be run under a leadership system centered on Floor Leader Joo Ho-young without pushing for a '3rd provisional leadership committee.' Analysts suggest that the fact that 5-term Floor Leader Joo was virtually elected in a form of acclamation was in anticipation of a one-man Floor Leader system if the injunction is granted. There is also a growing voice for an early party convention within the year to block Lee’s possible return and resolve the party’s leadership confusion.

There is also a possibility that the court may dismiss the injunction. In this case, the PPP will resolve the leadership vacuum crisis in about three months and respond to the first regular National Assembly session and audit of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration with the dual leadership of Provisional Chairman Jeong and Floor Leader Joo. Since Lee’s dismissal is almost certain, preparations for the party convention early next year are expected to proceed normally. For Lee, it will be difficult to claim a return to the leadership position if the injunction is dismissed. He may consider options such as resuming a public opinion campaign while awaiting the main lawsuit decision filed on the 13th regarding the 3rd and 4th injunction applications.

Meanwhile, if the party decides on additional disciplinary actions, the situation could drastically change regardless of the injunction lawsuit outcome. The PPP Central Ethics Committee initiated additional disciplinary proceedings against former leader Lee on the 18th, citing that he damaged the party’s dignity with expressions such as "yangduguyuk" (a Korean idiom meaning "a dog’s head with a pig’s meat"). Additional disciplinary actions, unless there are special reasons, are decided as stronger penalties such as recommendation for withdrawal or expulsion rather than the existing six-month suspension of party membership. If the Ethics Committee issues an 'expulsion' order, even if Lee wins the injunction lawsuit, his possibility of returning as party leader will be completely blocked. Although there was speculation that the Ethics Committee’s full meeting scheduled for the 28th would discuss Lee’s additional disciplinary case, it is understood that the disciplinary action is likely to be postponed due to concerns that it could influence the court’s decision.

The ongoing police investigation into allegations of sexual bribery and false accusation or evidence tampering related to former leader Lee also remains a potential trigger. Within the party, opinions such as "The Ethics Committee should take a stricter stance than the legal level (Assemblyman Lee Yong-ho)" and "If the party leader has a problem related to sexual misconduct, it is appropriate to take political responsibility (Spokesperson Yang Geum-hee)" suggest that Lee’s 'judicial risk' will hamper his return to the leadership position.

The court’s hearing results are expected to be announced no earlier than next week. Regarding the first injunction application, the hearing began on the 5th of last month, and the decision was made 9 days later on the 14th. Both former leader Lee and the PPP provisional leadership committee appeared in court on the 28th to present their arguments. Lee said to reporters at the Seoul Southern District Court, "I hope that everything will be concluded with this injunction decision." PPP Provisional Committee Member Jeon Ju-hye said, "If this case is granted, it would be a disaster for our party," and added, "I hope the injunction is dismissed as soon as possible so that the party can regain stability and properly fulfill the ruling party’s role."