Why Was It Lee Nak-yeon? Former Democratic Party Leader Targeted by 'Gaeddal'

Former Leader Lee Nak-yeon, June Return Anticipated
Devoted Fans Say "Lee Nak-yeon, the Source of Pain"

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon has become the target of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea's staunch supporters known as the so-called 'Gaeddal (Daughters of Reform)'. This is based on the judgment that Lee Nak-yeon is behind the 'mass defection votes' in the vote on the arrest motion against Lee Jae-myung.

During the last presidential primary, Lee Nak-yeon made the Daejang-dong development corruption allegations a key issue against Lee Jae-myung. The factional conflict, which had been quiet for a while, is showing signs of intensifying again following the recent parliamentary vote on the arrest motion.

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, a petition demanding the permanent expulsion of Lee Nak-yeon from the Democratic Party was posted on the 'National Response Center,' a platform used by Democratic Party members. As of 4 p.m. on the 2nd, the petition had garnered over 35,000 signatures.

The petitioner stated, "Lee Nak-yeon was the very person who triggered the Daejang-dong scandal during the last presidential primary, causing Lee Jae-myung great suffering," and added, "Lee Nak-yeon is still not apologizing; instead, he is only scheming how to use his people to remove Lee Jae-myung."

They also emphasized, "It is not an exaggeration to say that Lee Nak-yeon orchestrated the rebellion votes against the arrest motion within the Democratic Party," and insisted, "Lee Nak-yeon must be forcibly expelled from the Democratic Party."

The reason Lee Jae-myung's supporters pointed to Lee Nak-yeon as the mastermind behind the defection votes lies in the long-standing conflict between the Lee Jae-myung faction and the Lee Nak-yeon faction that has continued before and after the presidential election.

Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon competed for the candidacy during the presidential primary, during which Lee Nak-yeon actively raised the Daejang-dong allegations to attack Lee Jae-myung. After the presidential election, conflicts continued over the Seoul mayoral nomination for the June 1 local elections and later over responsibility for election defeats.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), and former leader Lee Nak-yeon. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

After the June 1 local elections, Lee Nak-yeon went to Washington, D.C., for a one-year study abroad program. Upon departure, he said, "Some people despise and hate. Some curse and attack. I hope you overcome that with justice and goodness." Some interpreted Lee Nak-yeon's remarks as targeting the harmful effects of fandom politics within the Democratic Party.

Subsequently, Lee Jae-myung secured party leadership with an overwhelming 77.77% of the vote but was hampered by judicial risks. Especially after the recent arrest motion vote, which dealt a critical blow to his leadership, Lee Nak-yeon is being mentioned as an alternative.

Lee Nak-yeon is officially scheduled to return to Korea in June. He has been reserved about his political comeback. However, he continues to voice his opinions on political issues through social networking services (SNS) such as Facebook, drawing attention to his future moves.