Did Lee Jae-myung's Direct Approach Work... Democratic Party's Shift in Mood After 3rd Prosecutor Appearance

Suspected Party Members and Lawmakers Criticize Prosecutors as 'Excessive'
Hundreds of Raids on Seongnam City Hall Create a 'Resolute Atmosphere'
Opposition Faction Sympathizes with 'Solo Appearance' Saying "Let's Wait and See"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Has Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, succeeded with his 'direct approach'? On the 10th of this month, Lee will appear before the prosecution for additional questioning regarding allegations of preferential treatment in the development of Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town. This marks his third summons by the prosecution this year alone. As Lee's appearances before the prosecution become more frequent, concerns about 'judicial risks' within the party are shifting into momentum for confrontation with the government.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to political circles on the 8th, Lee is expected to appear 'alone' on his third summons, accompanied only by his legal counsel. At the party meeting on the 30th of last month, Lee earnestly requested his party members not to attend his prosecution appearances. During his first appearance on the 10th of last month, about 40 party members accompanied him, and around 20 accompanied him on the 28th when he appeared regarding the Daejang-dong allegations. On the previous day, Lee posted on his social media, "Once again, I ask Democratic Party members," and stated, "I will go alone."

Lee's decision to respond to three consecutive prosecution summonses and to appear alone, despite criticism within the party accusing him of seeking 'protection,' has led to an analysis that even some members who were previously unfavorable toward him are sensing a shift. A second-term Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Party members and lawmakers who doubted Lee seem to feel that the prosecution is being 'too harsh' since they have failed to present any evidence after three consecutive summonses," adding, "A few days ago, one lawmaker said, 'Lee Jae-myung must really be clean. If anyone else were investigated like this, they would have been caught.'"

Lee Jae-myung, the 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 appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 28th as a suspect. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, Kim Eui-gyeom, a pro-Lee lawmaker, appeared on SBS Radio and described the party's atmosphere regarding Lee's prosecution appearances as "In short, the mood is that 'the prosecution is going too far.'"

Kim criticized, "Before the Daejang-dong issue, there was a raid on more than 40 locations yesterday related to the Baekhyeon-dong case. Among them, Seongnam City Hall has been raided hundreds of times due to incidents during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as mayor of Seongnam." He continued, "There is a self-deprecating voice saying that there are more documents at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office than at Seongnam City Hall. (Because of this) initially, there were some talks within the party about judicial risks concerning Lee Jae-myung, but now, voices condemning the prosecution are much louder," and explained, "A resolute atmosphere has formed among the lawmakers."

Members of the non-Lee faction (anti-Lee faction), who have differing views on the interpretation of Article 80 of the party constitution and the approval of Lee's arrest motion, have stated that they will, for now, observe the progress of the prosecution's investigation. However, they emphasized that in a situation where it is clear the prosecution will not stop investigating Lee, it is a matter for the leader himself to resolve, not the party's protection. In this context, Lee's recent reiteration of his intention to appear 'alone' is being viewed positively. A senior non-Lee faction lawmaker said, "Since he said he will appear alone, we have to wait and see."

Another non-Lee faction lawmaker said, "As Lee said, he has no choice but to appear," adding, "In any case, the message that he will go alone seems to be gaining sympathy." However, regarding responding with outside protests like the National Report Rally on the 4th, they pointed out, "There was a hasty aspect," and criticized, "The party holding outside protests is something done in the worst-case scenario, when the situation is most difficult."