Declared 'Going Alone,' but Leadership Ponders
Meanwhile, Some Express Concern Over "Party Appearing to Flock"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea is facing a dilemma over whether to accompany Representative Lee Jae-myung to his prosecution appearance scheduled for the next day. Although Representative Lee has clearly stated his intention to appear alone, many party leaders and lawmakers are expected to accompany him.
According to the opposition on the 27th, some members of the party's Supreme Council and floor leadership are expected to voluntarily accompany Representative Lee on his way to the prosecution on the 28th.
A pro-Lee faction (pro-Lee Jae-myung faction) lawmaker said, "I think it is natural to go," adding, "However, since the representative has strongly emphasized that he will go alone, we need to watch carefully to avoid confusion about who will go and who will not." Another Supreme Council member said, "I was thinking about going to see the supporters," and added, "Other lawmakers might attend as well." Another pro-Lee leadership member also expressed willingness to accompany him in a phone interview with this outlet.
Earlier, on the 10th, when Representative Lee appeared at the Seongnam branch office in relation to the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations,' about 50 lawmakers including party leaders stayed by his side. It was reported that there was no discussion or notice among party lawmakers regarding accompanying him to the prosecution at that time.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is appearing on the 10th at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to undergo investigation related to the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations' case. Photo by Joint Press Corps
However, Representative Lee’s prosecution appearance accompanied by a large number of fellow lawmakers raised concerns both inside and outside the party. Former Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chairperson Park Ji-hyun expressed concern via social media at the time, saying, "(Representative Lee) must go alone," and warned, "If the leadership accompanies him and supporters cheer, the public will perceive the Democratic Party as a party dedicated to shielding Representative Lee rather than focusing on people’s livelihoods."
The ruling party raised the criticism level, calling it "Lemming politics." Yoo Sang-beom, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’ program, "By converting Representative Lee’s judicial risk into the party’s judicial risk, the Democratic Party has already fallen into the swamp of ‘Lemming politics,’" and added, "They are now running toward a cliff following the Pied Piper." He said the party is caught up in Representative Lee’s personal judicial risk and is engaging in a ‘collective suicide drama.’
Nevertheless, this spectacle was remembered as a scene showing that Representative Lee remains influential within the Democratic Party despite concerns over judicial risks. Therefore, if the number of accompanying lawmakers sharply decreases compared to the previous appearance, it could be interpreted as Representative Lee’s position within the party narrowing. There are also concerns from some quarters that "the party appears to be stepping in to protect Representative Lee." One Supreme Council official said, "The representative strongly told others not to come, so we respect that, but it’s also awkward to send the representative alone," adding, "We need to discuss this further."
Recently, there has been no official discussion about whether to accompany Representative Lee at the Supreme Council or floor leadership meetings. At a briefing after the Supreme Council meeting the previous day, party spokesperson Lim Oh-kyung said regarding lawmakers’ voluntary attendance, "(Representative Lee) said it is something lawmakers should decide separately," and added, "If lawmakers decide to attend, we can’t really stop them from coming."
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