Lee Jae-myung's 'Broad Action' Ahead of Re-summons... Farewell Speech 'The Path of the Democratic Party'

Sudden Announcement of Willingness to Reappear Before Prosecution the Day Before
Speech at the Democratic Party's Known Path Forum
Unifying Move Embracing the Party's Vocal Faction

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who initially broke expectations by agreeing to the prosecution's request for a re-summon, is drawing attention for his moves to prevent internal party conflicts.

On the 31st, Lee attended and gave a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ held at the National Assembly. ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ is a ‘reflection and innovation’ group formed by Democratic Party lawmakers after defeats in the recent presidential and local elections, serving as a forum to discuss reform measures for the Democratic Party. The group is known as a non-Lee faction (Bi-Myung, meaning non-Lee Jae-myung) gathering led by non-Lee faction lawmakers, and Lee himself attended this meeting. In his congratulatory speech, Lee said, "If we are a democratic party, we must find a more efficient, more fitting, and nationally beneficial path through free expression of opinions, serious discussions, and opinion gathering," adding, "It would be good if, when the opportunity arises, I could receive and refer to the results of the discussions. I will participate in the forum."

Lee Jae-myung Gives Congratulatory Speech at ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ Forum with Non-Lee Faction Lawmakers Today

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min showed efforts to dispel misunderstandings about ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ through a public statement. Kim said, "This group is not a non-Lee faction group but a vision group. If we discuss vision and strategy extensively, the biggest beneficiary will be the Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung," and added, "It would be great if this diverse energy within the Democratic Party helps overcome difficulties and satisfies the explosive thirst and desire of the public for political reform within this year."

Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon, who participates in ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ forum, explained Lee’s attendance and related matters on SBS Radio’s ‘Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show.’ Cho said, "The first forum of ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ was held, and I understand that Lee was invited to present on what he thinks the path of the Democratic Party should be," adding, "Today, he responded by giving a congratulatory speech." When the host mentioned that Lee might attend and present on another day, Cho replied, "Yes."

A representative from Lee’s side commented on his attendance, saying, "The media divides people into pro-Lee and non-Lee factions, but for Lee, they are all members of the same party," and added, "Research and discussion ultimately mean the party’s development, so he went there to give a congratulatory speech and to unite efforts."

The ruling party sometimes evaluates Lee’s moves negatively. Yang Geum-hee, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, criticized Lee in a statement, saying, "How about going to ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ meeting and receiving advice on ‘your own path’ first?" and added, "Lee’s efforts to discipline party lawmakers are admirable." Yang said, "Compared to the leadership that encouraged the leader’s return from the prosecution office or the group that rushed out to show their faces, those participating in ‘The Path of the Democratic Party’ today are lawmakers who genuinely worry about the Democratic Party," and warned, "Do not obstruct the path to save the party held hostage by the leader’s judicial risks."

Lee Jae-myung Faces Prosecution’s Second Summon Request with “I Will Go Again” and Direct Confrontation

At a press conference the day before, Lee expressed his intention to comply with the prosecution’s re-summon request, saying, "Since they so earnestly want to summon me again, I will go again." Despite internal opposition questioning whether he should respond to a second summon request, he chose to confront it head-on.

Lawmaker Cho, who had expressed concerns about Lee’s judicial risk response, positively evaluated it as a ‘clever move.’ Cho said, "Ultimately, this is not a fight decided by legal judgments but rather a political battle influenced more by public opinion," adding, "If Lee complies with the prosecution’s demands but they still try to conduct a forced investigation, he can claim unjust persecution and suppress potential internal conflicts."

Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as Lee’s political ally and leader of the pro-Lee faction, appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ and said, "The public knows how they would feel if the party leader did not attend without a valid reason," adding, "From the start, Lee’s thought was to confidently go and be investigated." This could alleviate some internal concerns about Lee’s judicial risks.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is under suspicion of breach of trust related to preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development projects, is greeting supporters on the 28th before appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office as a suspect. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the press conference the day before, Lee instructed that neither party leadership nor lawmakers accompany him to the summons. He said, "I earnestly ask you not to come," explaining, "Because this could become a source of conflict and division. There is also an aspect that the other side expects such things, so I sincerely ask this time."

Already online, ‘coordinate marking’ is occurring over whether Lee was accompanied at the summons related to his judicial risks. His strong insistence on being accompanied only by his lawyers seems to fully reflect awareness of internal party opinion.

Lee: "Birth of Prosecutor Dictatorship Regime" vs Ruling Party: "Weaker than Political Retaliation Frame"

Another notable point is that Lee has started using the term ‘prosecutor dictatorship regime’ regarding his judicial risks. At the press conference the day before, Lee said, "We once suffered tremendous oppression and human rights violations under a military dictatorship regime, but now it seems like the birth of a prosecutor dictatorship regime."

Regarding this, lawmaker Jeong said, "The prosecution’s investigation and judicial processing of Lee is not the end; there is suspicion that they are trying to change our entire society," adding, "I am very worried that the democratic system of our society, which voices different opinions from the current power, is being threatened."

However, the ruling party downplayed this, saying that since the political retaliation frame has lost strength, Lee resorted to the prosecutor dictatorship frame. People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom appeared on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’ and said, "Public perception of the political retaliation frame has recently been that over 60% see it as an investigation into corruption cases, so there are limits to this frame, which is why the prosecutor dictatorship frame was brought up. It seems they view it as a dictatorship regime," adding, "This frame is weaker than the political retaliation frame."