"Deepening Internal Strife in the Opposition over 'Lee Nak-yeon’s Return'? Divergent Views on Its Impact"

The Return of Lee Nak-yeon Emerges as a Variable in the Chinmyeong vs Bimyeong Faction Conflict

As factional conflicts between pro-Lee Nak-yeon (친명) and anti-Lee Nak-yeon (비명) groups within the Democratic Party of Korea intensify, political circles are speculating that if former leader Lee Nak-yeon returns this month, he could become the focal point of the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction, potentially exacerbating factional strife. However, there are also opinions that Lee's influence is insufficient to shake the leadership of Lee Jae-myung.

On the 1st, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" in response to a question about the impact of Lee Nak-yeon's return, "Lee's return is not an early homecoming but a scheduled one," adding, "It will be difficult for him to immediately lead the Democratic Party in the general election or become the new leader of the party's system right away."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Nak-yeon, who left for the United States last June, is returning this month after completing his research activities there. Ahead of his return, he published his book Survival Strategy for the Republic of Korea - Lee Nak-yeon's Vision and has been actively expressing his opinions through briefings. Many view this as a move with political comeback intentions.

If he returns to politics, there is a perspective that the already serious factional conflicts within the Democratic Party will worsen. This is because Lee, who previously competed against Lee Jae-myung in the presidential primary, could become a new focal point for the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction, which currently lacks a central figure.

On the previous day’s YTN program "E&Pi," People Power Party lawmaker Hong Seok-joon said, "If Lee returns in June, he could become the new focal point of the anti-Lee faction, which seems likely to intensify various conflicts within the Democratic Party."

However, Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said on YTN's "Shin Yul's News Face-off" the day before, "From Lee Jae-myung's perspective, Lee Nak-yeon's return is not a significant threat," adding, "However, since Lee Jae-myung faces ongoing judicial risks, Lee Nak-yeon should patiently wait like an angler waiting for the right moment."

Um’s analysis is based on Lee Nak-yeon's failure to capture the Democratic Party’s three major support bases. He said, "Lee is returning, but in my view, to become the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, three types of representation are necessary. First, Honam region; second, the 40s and 50s age group, which is the core support base of the Democratic Party; and third, women in their 20s and 30s. Does Lee Nak-yeon represent these three groups? The answer is no."

While Lee has potential to expand support among centrists and the politically unaffiliated, his appeal to the Democratic Party’s core supporters is weak. Um claimed, "In Gwangju, Lee Nak-yeon's approval rating is less than 1%."

Park Ji-won, former director of the National Intelligence Service and a senior figure in the party, also responded to a question on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus" about whether Lee's return would worsen the pro-Lee versus anti-Lee factional conflict by saying, "That kind of talk is just from some sparrows. Is this the time for the Democratic Party to be like that?"

Park Ji-won added, "If Lee returns, he should actively cooperate with Lee Jae-myung to help the Democratic Party overcome its crisis. If he shows a lukewarm attitude, he will not gain support from the public or party members."