Democratic Party to Decide on Lee Jae-myung's Party Position Suspension at Today's Party Affairs Committee Meeting

Held Party Affairs Committee Meeting for Interpretation on Application of Article 80 of Party Charter
Key Issue: Whether It Constitutes Political Oppression
Discussion Also Includes Assembly Members Kidongmin and Isujin

The Democratic Party of Korea convened a party affairs committee on the 22nd to decide whether to apply the exception clause of Article 80 of the party constitution regarding the indictment of party leader Lee Jae-myung and other affiliated lawmakers.

On the same day, immediately after the prosecution indicted Lee without detention in connection with allegations of preferential corruption in the development of Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong, as well as suspicions regarding donations to Seongnam FC, the Democratic Party held an emergency supreme council meeting and decided to convene the party affairs committee. Ahn Ho-young, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a press meeting following the emergency supreme council, "There were reports that the prosecution's indictment of Leader Lee was unfair and outrageous," adding, "In relation to this, the supreme council convened and resolved to submit the issue of the interpretation of Article 80 of the party constitution concerning Lee’s indictment and those of previously indicted lawmakers to the party affairs committee."

In addition to Leader Lee, lawmakers Ki Dong-min and Lee Soo-jin will discuss whether to apply the exception clause of Article 80 of the party constitution.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Taegeukgi Flag Raising Campaign event condemning submissive diplomacy toward Japan, held in front of the National Assembly main building on the 22nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The party affairs committee will discuss whether the prosecution’s indictment of Leader Lee constitutes ‘political oppression.’ According to Article 80 of the party constitution, party officials indicted on charges of corruption are to have their duties suspended. However, if the party affairs committee recognizes the indictment as political oppression or similar, this suspension can be revoked.

Spokesperson Ahn said, "The supreme council recognized the three cases as political oppression and submitted the issue of interpretation as an agenda item to the party affairs committee," adding, "The party affairs committee will discuss and make a decision."

Although the party affairs committee is usually chaired by Leader Lee, considering the special nature of this case, the committee was chaired by Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party.