"The Long and Deep Winter Comes"... Lee Jae-myung's Message Facing 'Resignation Debate'

Midnight SNS Expresses Will for Unity and Overcoming via Twitter
Within the Party, Voices Advise Lee's Resignation over Judicial Risks Emerge

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, left a meaningful message mentioning the "cold winter," drawing attention to the background.

On the 19th around midnight, Lee posted on social media (SNS), "A long and deep winter is coming. The colder it gets, the more we must lean on each other. Comrades, let us unite our strength and overcome this together."

About 20 minutes later, he also posted on his fan cafe under the title "(This is Lee Jang) A long and deep winter.." stating, "The arrival of the swallow does not mean spring has come. The swallow comes because it is spring. Although a long and deep winter begins, where there is a beginning, there is an end."

After attending the launch ceremony of the Democratic Party's Human Rights Committee on the 20th, Lee met with reporters and, when asked about the purpose of his series of posts, explained, "As you have read, that is the content."

Although Lee himself did not provide additional explanations, it is interpreted that he was urging not to be shaken and to unite strength amid the intensifying judicial risks.

In reality, Lee is going through a cold winter. His close aides, former Political Coordination Office Chief Jeong Jin-sang and former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute Kim Yong, are on trial for charges including bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act. Moreover, the prosecution investigating the Daejang-dong related allegations is ultimately believed to be targeting Lee.

The situation within the party is also challenging. Although Lee was elected with an overwhelming 77.7% support at the party convention, there have been internal complaints about clarifying allegations related to the leader through party organizations. Recently, concerns and dissatisfaction have been raised publicly about linking Lee’s personal allegations to the entire Democratic Party. Some lawmakers have raised the tone of their remarks, urging Lee to make a decisive move.

Lee Sang-min, a five-term Democratic Party lawmaker, said on KBS Radio the previous day, "Continuing to serve as party leader now is not wise for Lee nor for the party," adding, "The ruling party’s intention is, so to speak, to equate Lee’s judicial allegations with the Democratic Party and bind them together so that they cannot move." He continued, "The Democratic Party must be careful not to get caught up in that, but I have seen cases where some, knowingly or unknowingly, recklessly fall into that swamp, which is very concerning."

Earlier, on the 16th, Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon also mentioned Lee’s resignation in the form of advice. On SBS Radio, Seol said, "(If Lee is innocent) even now, he can step down as party leader and confidently win. He does not want to bring shame to the party. To prevent the party from falling into a difficult situation, he can handle this situation alone," adding, "Under the current circumstances, wouldn’t that be the best way to receive an evaluation from the public that he is still Lee Jae-myung?"