Jeon Hae-cheol, Lee's Leadership Vote 'Abstained' Revealed Late...

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Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol was later confirmed to have abstained from voting at the party affairs committee meeting that decided whether Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader who was indicted by the prosecution, would retain his position as party leader.

Earlier, the Democratic Party appeared to show unity and cohesion by unanimously deciding at the party affairs committee meeting to maintain Lee’s leadership, but internal conflicts regarding the retention of the leadership position seem to persist.

On the 23rd, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom stated in an additional briefing at the National Assembly communication office that a Democratic Party lawmaker conveyed three concerns to the party affairs committee the previous day, then abstained and left the meeting.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the launch meeting of the Task Force for Responding to the Four Major Livelihood Crises held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to spokesperson Kim, lawmaker Jeon first pointed out that the party affairs committee was convened too hastily. He said it was rushed and unnatural to convene the committee at 5 p.m. after the indictment was announced at 11 a.m.

Secondly, Jeon argued that it is a principle to discuss the matter after thoroughly reviewing the indictment. Thirdly, he raised issues regarding the interpretation of Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party constitution, which states that “party officials indicted on charges of corruption shall have their duties suspended immediately upon indictment.” He emphasized that since controversy could arise over the interpretation of the party constitution, related discussions should precede any decision.

The Democratic Party held a party affairs committee meeting on the 22nd and judged Lee’s indictment as “political oppression,” deciding not to suspend his duties. According to Article 80 of the Democratic Party constitution, party officials indicted on corruption charges are to be suspended from their duties, but exceptions can be made if unfair reasons such as political oppression are recognized.

Spokesperson Kim reported that out of a total of 80 party affairs committee members, 30 attended in person and 39 attended in writing, with all 69 expressing agreement. He explained, “It is very clear that this is political oppression by the prosecution, and there was consensus that the party needs to quickly show unity and cohesion in response to the oppressive intent.”

Seoul Yeouido Democratic Party Central Office. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

However, due to lawmaker Jeon’s protest, the Democratic Party’s stance reversed within a day. Although the Democratic Party initially appeared united in quickly labeling Lee’s indictment by the prosecution as “political oppression,” criticism of the decision to maintain Lee’s leadership has continued, mainly from the non-Lee faction, prolonging internal conflicts.

Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon, from the non-Lee faction, also pointed out procedural issues with the party affairs committee’s decision to maintain the leadership. On the 23rd, on MBC Radio’s “Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,” Cho criticized the convening of the party affairs committee on the day of Lee’s indictment as “a really ironclad stance” and said it was “generally excessive.”

He also pointed out procedural problems. According to Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party constitution, duties should be suspended upon indictment on corruption charges, but the party bypassed this procedure and directly applied Paragraph 3 of Article 80 to maintain Lee’s leadership. Cho said, “According to Article 80, Paragraph 3, there must be a brief suspension procedure before moving to Paragraph 3, but no such suspension was ever imposed.”