Before the Party's Reform Even Begins
Another Internal Conflict Arises
Since Lee Naeryeong, honorary chairman of the nonprofit organization Dareun Baeknyeon, was appointed as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Innovation Committee, her early resignation has caused a strong backlash within the party. Representative Lee Jae-myung appointed Lee with a strong will to reform the party, but Lee voluntarily resigned just nine hours later due to controversy over past remarks, leading to criticism of inadequate vetting and the formalization of calls for Lee's resignation.
Lee Sang-min, a key member of the anti-Lee faction, said on KBS Radio on the morning of the 7th, "Representative Lee Jae-myung bears great responsibility for this decision," adding, "I believe it is appropriate for him to step down himself to remove his flaws and limitations." He urged Lee's resignation, citing the judicial risks surrounding Lee himself, the money envelope scandal involving former party leader Song Young-gil and others during the party convention, and the inappropriate response to the cryptocurrency scandal involving Lee's close aide, Representative Kim Nam-guk.
Lee said, "No matter how much Representative Lee forms an innovation committee, as revealed this time, didn't he appoint someone biased toward his side? Is that innovation?" He explained that it only strengthens the pro-Lee faction, amplifies Lee's leadership crisis, and burdens the party.
Another anti-Lee faction member, Representative Kim Jong-min, also criticized on SBS Radio that "appointing the innovation committee chairman seems to reflect Representative Lee's belief that strengthening the fandom support base is innovation." He said, "This is the path that Hwang Kyo-ahn's Future United Party took," adding, "Representative Lee must not follow Hwang Kyo-ahn's path." While the hardline support base can be strengthened, it is difficult to expect support from the general public and moderate voters. He further added, "Fundamentally, appointing a pro-Lee figure as the innovation committee chairman is a serious indication of the intention to further strengthen 'Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party.'
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the other hand, the pro-Lee faction showed a difference in tone by judging Lee Naeryeong's resignation and Representative Lee's leadership issue separately. On the same day, Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member, appeared on CBS Radio and said regarding calls for Lee's resignation related to Lee Naeryeong's fall, "I don't know if there is any correlation." Jang criticized it as "nonsense," saying, "Representative Lee's resignation is (Representative Lee Sang-min's) own goal." He added, "Such remarks should be avoided. They are unnecessary comments in the process of becoming a Democratic Party that regains unity within the party and the trust of many citizens."
Representative Lee avoided official comments on Lee Naeryeong's resignation that day. Floor leader Park Kwang-on also did not express a position on the vacant innovation committee chairman position or future appointment directions and measures. However, after the meeting, spokesperson Kang Seon-woo responded to reporters' questions about whether there were additional discussions regarding the innovation committee's composition plan by saying, "There were no additional discussions."
Earlier, on the morning of the 5th, Representative Lee appointed Lee Naeryeong as the person responsible for leading the party's innovation committee at the Supreme Council meeting. However, after controversy arose over Lee Naeryeong's past conspiracy theory remarks such as the 'Cheonan ship self-destruction theory' and 'COVID-19 origin in the U.S. theory,' Lee voluntarily resigned that evening on the day of her appointment. Lee Naeryeong explained her past remarks point by point that morning, but the fallout does not seem to subside easily. There are criticisms not only about the lack of thorough vetting for a position that should lead party reform but also voices questioning Representative Lee's appointment. In particular, concerns are emerging that the innovation committee might become factionalized as it was revealed that Lee Naeryeong had publicly supported Representative Lee in the past.
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