"Lee Jae-myung Should Step Down and the Floor Leader Should Act as Interim Representative"
Lee Sang-min, a non-mainstream Democratic Party lawmaker, expressed concerns about a backlash, calling former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil's announcement on the 7th that he would voluntarily appear before the prosecution a "show." He also demanded the resignation of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, saying he would ultimately appoint someone from his own faction again.
On the 7th, on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' Lee said, "The investigative agencies say the investigation hasn't progressed, but repeatedly saying 'Investigate me, arrest me' makes the public think, based on common sense, that this is a show."
He added, "The prosecution's attitude is creating a very suspicious situation, but for former leader Song to also join in saying 'Investigate me' when the investigative agencies are not ready to investigate, from the perspective of public common sense and sentiment, looks like a show. Rather, it will have a strong backlash."
Regarding the resignation of Lee Rae-kyung, chairman of Other Hundred Years, who stepped down as head of the Innovation Committee following controversial remarks such as 'Cheonan ship self-destruction,' Lee responded to the host's question about whether a successor should be recruited by saying, "The Innovation Committee itself has been like this from the start, so can it really exert proper leadership?" He raised his voice demanding Lee Jae-myung's resignation.
Lee's argument is that if Lee Jae-myung resigns, the floor leader should act as interim leader, and the party should hold discussions to establish a new system. He said, "Didn't the floor leader get elected recently? If that structure is in place, naturally there will be various opinions within the party, and through discussion, a reasonable conclusion can be reached."
However, there are concerns that if floor leader Park Kwang-on, who is aligned with the pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction, takes on the role of acting party leader, factional conflicts within the party could intensify, especially with former leader Lee Nak-yeon's return scheduled for the 24th. Lee said, "(The possibility of conflict and division) cannot be completely denied, but if Lee Jae-myung courageously chooses to resign voluntarily, it will create a greater sense of crisis and tension within the party, which may lead to wisdom and capability being gathered to minimize internal division and conflict."
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