Pro-친명 Faction Lawmakers Actively Defend Themselves on Radio and More
On the 25th, Sangmin Lee Stated, "If Lee Jae-myung Is Indicted, He Must Step Down from Party Positions"
[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] On the eve of the prosecution summons of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), regarding the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development allegations, the DPK’s “Article 80 of the Party Constitution,” which stipulates resignation from party positions upon indictment, has resurfaced. The issue of resignation upon indictment has become publicly prominent, and pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction lawmakers have launched an active defense.
Kim Nam-guk, Deputy Secretary-General of the DPK, appeared on BBS Radio on the 27th and said, “Ultimately, to apply Article 80 of the Party Constitution to suspend duties, there must be corruption-related crimes involved, but currently, there seems to be no consensus on this. The prosecution investigation itself has the character of political oppression not only against Lee but also against the previous Moon Jae-in administration, so I think it is difficult to immediately apply Article 80.”
This was a rebuttal to DPK lawmaker Lee Sang-min’s remarks on the 25th on KBS Radio’s ‘Joo Jin-woo Live,’ where he said, “According to Article 80 of the Party Constitution, party officials must, in principle, resign if indicted. It would be good if the leader also follows that principle.” At the time, Lee argued, “Although the investigation against the leader clearly shows signs of opposition party oppression and biased investigation, since he has been indicted, he should step down from the leadership position and devote all efforts to proving his innocence.”
Deputy Secretary-General Kim said, “Lawmaker Lee also acknowledges that there seems to be a political oppression aspect and says he should resign, but if it is political oppression, from the standpoint of political comrades working together, it is right to protect the party, protect the members, and protect the leader, not to say ‘fight alone.’ I think that is not a desirable attitude for a political party working together.”
The DPK has already seen controversy over whether to apply Article 80 of the Party Constitution to the leader. With the leader himself almost certain to be indicted by the prosecution, opinions differ on the follow-up response after indictment. While the non-Lee faction openly mentions the leader’s resignation, the pro-Lee faction is actively advocating the ‘no resignation’ stance.
Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member, also said on SBS Radio’s ‘Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,’ “There is no party constitution that says ‘resign upon indictment.’ When the prosecution targets parties with special investigations, planned investigations, or separate investigations to oppress them, especially when oppressing the opposition leader and former presidential candidate, various judgments by the Secretary-General or the Party Affairs Committee should be made,” he mentioned.
According to Article 80 of the DPK Party Constitution, the Secretary-General must suspend party duties upon indictment of those involved in corruption, but there is a clause (Article 80, Paragraph 3) that allows exceptions to suspension of duties by resolution of the Party Affairs Committee in cases such as political oppression. Recently, Cho Jung-sik, Secretary-General of the DPK, told reporters about the application of ‘Article 80’ that “If the leader is indicted, the related agenda must be submitted through the Party Affairs Committee in procedural terms,” but he expressed skepticism, saying, “Due to the revised clause at the last party convention, I think the leader will be excluded from the application.”
Ahead of the prosecution summons, the leader attended the DPK Supreme Council meeting held in Iksan, Jeonbuk, on the day. Having visited the Jeonbuk region the previous day, the leader continues a ‘listening tour’ meeting citizens around Jeonbuk. While the leader did not make separate remarks about the prosecution investigation in public statements that day, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the DPK, said, “The Democratic Party will surely overcome the unjust and shameless oppression by the Yoon Seok-youl prosecution republic against the leader with the united power of the people.”
Meanwhile, the DPK National Youth Committee and National University Students Committee held a ‘Rally condemning the excessive investigation and opposition party oppression against Leader Lee Jae-myung’ on the steps in front of the National Assembly main building that day. The party’s Prosecution Dictatorship Political Oppression Countermeasures Committee will also hold a press conference in the afternoon to refute allegations related to the leader. The day before, the DPK Out-of-Parliament Regional Chairpersons’ Council also held a press conference condemning the prosecution.
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