Democratic Party in Turmoil... From Calls for 'Reorganization' to 'Resignation'

Park Hong-geun Floor Leader "Will Deeply Consider the Meaning of the Vote"
Pro-Myeong Faction "Leader Elected with 77% Support" Urges Unity
Non-Myeong Faction "Special Measures Needed" Calls for Resignation Debate

The Democratic Party of Korea has been engulfed in internal strife following the parliamentary vote on the arrest motion against Lee Jae-myung, the party leader. The number of votes in favor of the arrest motion for Lee was actually one more than expected, and as dissenting votes within the party poured in, the conflict between the 'Bimyeong (anti-Lee Jae-myung) faction' and the 'Chinmyeong (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction' has resurfaced.

On the 28th, Park Hong-geun, the floor leader, commented at the morning party strategy meeting regarding the previous day's rejection of the arrest motion against Lee, stating, "It was a natural outcome that upheld the spirit and provisions of the Constitution against the unjust and excessive targeted investigation by the political prosecution." However, he added, "It is difficult to say that the voting result aligns with the consensus gathered at the party meeting," and emphasized, "We will carefully examine the implications of the voting result together with the party leadership."

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is seen conversing with fellow lawmakers after delivering a personal statement regarding the submission of a motion for his arrest during the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the estimated 31 to 37 dissenting votes, Park urged the party to reorganize as a 'unified front' rather than a 'source of discord.' He stated, "The party must not fall into further confusion or division because of yesterday's events," and expressed his determination by saying, "We will do our best to unify the party as a single front through this incident." Although the scale of opposition to Lee was revealed through this vote, it is interpreted as an intention to strengthen the current system rather than allowing any cracks. The emphasis on the meaning of the 'rejection' itself is also understood in this context.

On the same day, Kim Young-jin, a pro-Lee lawmaker, appeared on YTN Radio and said, "We must firmly respond to the use of the arrest motion as a tool for eliminating opposition party rivals and suppressing the opposition," reiterating the justification for rejecting any future arrest motions submitted by the prosecution. Regarding Lee's position, he stated, "He was elected party leader with 77% support according to the party's constitution and regulations," and added, "Entry and exit are matters for the party leader to decide; there is no process of impeachment or such (resignation demands) in the opposition party," drawing a line against calls for resignation.

Sharp criticism toward the Bimyeong faction also came from outside the National Assembly. Choi Jae-sung, former senior secretary for political affairs at the Blue House, appeared on SBS Radio and harshly criticized the Bimyeong faction lawmakers who, after indicating at the party meeting that the motion would be rejected, either voted in favor or abstained/invalidated their votes at the plenary session, calling it "politics that should not have been done" and "a trick (deception)." He said, "If such distrust fully takes root within the party, nothing will be believed," and condemned, "The lowest and outwardly violent clashes are awaiting."

However, the Bimyeong faction, whose strength was confirmed by this vote, is expected to raise their voices against Lee's leadership even more in the future. Lee Sang-min, a five-term senior Bimyeong lawmaker, appeared on CBS Radio and told Lee, "You should not think you can just let this slide or that nothing serious will happen," adding, "Some kind of action is definitely necessary." This is interpreted as a call for Lee's resignation as party leader. Lee said, "The things generally mentioned are probably those (resignation)," and emphasized, "Even if Lee feels wronged, since the party is branding him with a negative image as a shield, he also has responsibilities as party leader." However, the opposing side argues that there is no rallying point other than Lee to lead the party in the upcoming general election. Regarding this, Lee Sang-min noted, "There may be a leadership vacuum or confusion for a while, but it is very wrong for a democratic party to depend on a single individual."