Lee Jae-myung Cornered... Bimyeong Faction Demands "Discussion on Party Charter Article 80," Ruling Party Pressures for 'Voluntary Resignation'

Bimyeong-gye Urges Application of Party Rule Article 80 'Suspension from Duty Upon Indictment' to Kim Yong
Ruling Party: "Lee Must Make Leader-like Decision" "Opposition Should Not Risk 'Mutual Sinking'"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the judicial risks facing Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, become a reality, the sense of crisis within the party is growing. Following the indictment of Kim Yong, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute and a close aide to Lee, Jeong Jin-sang, chief of the Political Coordination Office in the leader’s office, was arrested, and key figures involved in the 'Daejang-dong development scandal' have made revealing statements against Lee, creating a burden even for the Democratic Party, which has actively defended him. The non-mainstream faction has called for the activation of 'Party Charter Article 80,' which includes provisions to suspend the duties of indicted party officials. The ruling party pressured Lee to 'voluntarily resign,' urging him to make a 'leader-like decision.'

Despite the recent arrests of his close aides and the expos?s against him, Lee has focused on delivering messages about people’s livelihoods. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st, he mentioned the economic crisis and emphasized securing budgets for people’s welfare. Regarding the judicial risks, he stated, "It is regrettable that national capabilities are being wasted on destroying the opposition," but refrained from direct criticism of the prosecution’s investigation. Regarding Jeong, who was arrested on the 19th, Lee posted on Facebook, "My only concern is that the regime, obsessed with killing Lee Jae-myung and destroying the opposition, is neglecting the people’s livelihoods," emphasizing the importance of public welfare.

Lee also did not comment on lawyer Nam’s recent court testimony that "the shares of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 1 belong to Lee’s side (then Seongnam mayor’s office)." Other party leaders, such as floor leader Park Hong-geun, took on the role of directly criticizing the prosecution. While highlighting that the prosecution’s investigation is oppression against the entire Democratic Party, they appear determined to overcome the judicial risks by focusing on the economy and people’s livelihoods.

However, some within the party are demanding that Lee make a statement regarding the successive arrests of his close aides. On the same day, lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon appeared on BS Radio’s 'Jeon Young-shin’s Morning Journal' and said, "Isn’t it time for him to provide some direct explanation?" He added, "Regarding the consecutive arrests of two closest aides, it is time to at least express regret, such as apologizing for causing controversy."

There is also dissatisfaction about Lee’s personal risks escalating into a crisis for the entire party. Lawmaker Park Yong-jin appeared on SBS’s 'Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show' and said, "Whether guilty or not is unknown, but the party must ensure it does not suffer political damage related to this matter." He further urged discussion on activating Party Charter Article 80, which suspends the duties of indicted party officials and subjects them to investigation by the Ethics Tribunal, regarding Kim Yong and other indicted officials.

Pressure for voluntary resignation is also coming from the ruling party. At a meeting of the Emergency Committee held at the National Assembly, Jeong Jin-seok, chairman of the People Power Party’s Emergency Committee, said, "I hope Lee will make a leader-like decision even now," adding, "He must release the shackles that bind Democratic Party lawmakers as a political community to prevent judicial action against himself. That was the kind of decision shown by previous Democratic Party leaders in moments of crisis."

On the 22nd, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun posted on Facebook, urging the Democratic Party, "Do not make the mistake of holding on until the end and sinking together with Lee," demanding that they 'cut ties' with Lee.