Democratic Party Preparing to Part Ways with 'Gaeddal'... "Lee Jae-myung Must Make a Decision"

Park Yong-jin "Democratic Party Must Decide to Part Ways with Gaeddal"
Woo Won-shik and Other Senior Members Propose 'Get Off the Bus and Campaign'

On the 24th, Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, to make a decisive move, saying, "What the Democratic Party needs most right now is the determination to part ways with 개딸." Senior Democratic Party lawmakers proposed the 'Get off the bus' campaign, calling for an end to the witch-hunting and stigmatization of extreme hardline supporters.

Through social media on the same day, Park said, "The biggest obstacle to the Democratic Party's unity is 개딸 and political hooligans who attack internally and incite division," adding, "If you say you will get rid of Park Ji-hyun, send away Lee Nak-yeon, and expel watermelons like Park Yong-jin, Lee Won-wook, and Lee Sang-min, the public watching from the sidelines will be horrified even if you feel relieved. If you 개딸 really like a unified front that much, go to the People Power Party where the flag of Yoon's supporters is flying."

He continued, "Isn't the People Power Party, which ousts Lee Jun-seok, suppresses Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo, tolerates no dissent, and shows a resolute will that green is not the same color, the party you admire?" He added, "The Democratic Party is not such a party. The path of the Democratic Party created by Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in lies in nurturing political diversity and being a democratic party where various opinions and debates are possible."

Park said, "Focusing only on internal attacks against party lawmakers cannot gain the trust of the people," and "When 개딸 tear apart watermelons, the public gets fed up with 개딸 who tear apart the Democratic Party. How can a party that tires the people come to power?"

He stated, "The reality of a party where language of hatred and disgust runs rampant must change," and "Party leader Lee Jae-myung must strongly respond to those who engage in such acts and cause division within the party."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, members of the Deobureo Subakkkaegi Movement Headquarters held a rally condemning non-mainstream lawmakers. The term "Subak" refers to a traitor who is different inside and out, used by supporters of Representative Lee to criticize close aides of former Representative Lee Nak-yeon, who was a rival in the primary during the last presidential election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He added, "What the Democratic Party needs most right now is the determination to part ways with 개딸," and "All politicians in our party who love the Democratic Party should be courageous together." Park emphasized, "I urge Leader Lee to make a decision for the unity of the Democratic Party."

Senior Democratic Party lawmakers also proposed the 'Get off the bus' campaign.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, lawmaker Woo Won-shik and others said, "Ten lawmakers with four or more terms in the Democratic Party jointly proposed this, and most of the affiliated lawmakers expressed their intention to participate," adding, "The 'Get off the bus' campaign lies in the unity of the Democratic Party. There is great concern as sharp attacks rather than unity, confrontation, or debate are taking precedence among lawmakers and supporters inside and outside the party. To resolve this issue, we intend to urge action from the party, party members, and supporters. We proposed to refrain from mutual vetoes and stigmatization within the Democratic Party, activate public discussion, and have frank communication between party members and supporters."

He said, "I especially ask party members and supporters to offer reasonable criticism, suggestions, support, and encouragement instead of witch-hunting, shaming, and slandering," adding, "Extreme claims and actions are not easily stopped even by the party leader and our lawmakers," and "I hope party members and supporters who wish for the party's unity and harmony will shout for those who behave wrongly to get off the bus immediately."

At the press conference, lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho said, "We must get rid of the mindset that only I am right and righteous," and "I expect the party leadership and the leader to play an active role."