Finding the 'Democratic Party's Path' Amid Lee's Judicial Risks?… Park Jumin Says "Not an Alternative"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid rising judicial risks for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the group 'The Path of the Democratic Party,' composed of non-Lee (Bi-Myeong) faction lawmakers, will officially launch on the 31st. Previously, the consolidation of the 'Pro-Moon' faction, including Saui-jae, Democracy 4.0, and former President Moon Jae-in's bookstore initiative, had also been observed. While some analyze that the unification of the Bi-Myeong and Pro-Moon factions aims to prepare alternatives after Lee's leadership, the party internally denies this and emphasizes a 'unified front.'

Park, classified as Pro-Lee, responded to related questions on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 25th, saying, "There is no need to see it that way," adding, "They themselves have repeatedly stated through the media that this is not the case, and to my knowledge, some members of this group even accompanied the leader when he appeared at the Seongnam District Prosecutor's Office."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and is talking with Park Jumin, chairman of the Euljiro Committee. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

'The Path of the Democratic Party,' launched by about 30 Bi-Myeong faction lawmakers including Kim Jong-min and Lee Won-wook, is analyzed as an attempt to prepare alternatives amid the escalating judicial risks facing Lee. Among them, Kim raised the issue of so-called '1,000-won party members' at a forum last year, prompting Lee's supporters to demand the Bi-Myeong faction lawmakers' withdrawal from the party. It appears that Lee's supporters are wary of the Bi-Myeong faction's consolidation.

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Ko Min-jung commented on this in CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying there is "an aspect of misunderstanding," but also advised, "Mr. Kim should consider why party members reacted so strongly at this point. There is no result without reason," suggesting that a sufficient explanation is necessary.

Not only the Bi-Myeong faction but also the consolidation of the Pro-Moon faction, including Saui-jae and Democracy 4.0, has been observed, with many linking this to Lee's judicial risks. Former President Moon recently decided to open a bookstore in Pyeongsan Village, which is analyzed as potentially becoming a focal point for the Pro-Moon forces' consolidation. In response to a host's question about whether 'Democracy 4.0,' a think tank of Pro-Moon lawmakers, is becoming a political organization, Park dismissed this interpretation, saying, "Democracy 4.0 is a group aiming to play a role as a unit that creates policy alternatives."

He added, "Recently, Democracy 4.0 has been focusing on electoral system reform and measures related to people's livelihoods. We have been holding continuous discussions on these topics, including economic situation assessments, evaluations of the Yoon Seok-youl administration's economic policies, and debates on how to increase proportionality in the electoral system."

Pro-Moon lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol also stated on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day, "We are thoroughly centering on policy agendas and conducting many discussions and public debates in the process. I can confidently say that this is not a faction or a gathering of some lawmakers."