Lee continues policy moves instead of apology... Calls to "bow your head" inside and outside the party

Aftermath of Innovation Committee Appointment Controversy Continues
Pro-Myeong Faction Also Says "Appropriate Expression of Regret Needed"

As the Democratic Party of Korea faces internal turmoil over moral allegations and controversies surrounding the Innovation Committee appointments, leader Lee Jae-myung is continuing his policy activities instead of damage control. The party is facing ongoing criticism both inside and outside for carrying on party affairs without a public apology or expression of regret.

On the morning of the 8th, Lee held a town hall meeting and labor policy discussion with youth workers from the two major labor unions at the National Assembly. At the meeting, he pointed out that "labor oppression, beyond just respect for labor, is unfolding as a stark reality," and announced plans to pursue joint responses with the two major unions.

The day before, he also attended a sit-in press conference held by the bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy at the National Assembly, emphasizing the need to pass a special law on the Itaewon disaster. At that time, Lee stated, "In this situation where lives and safety were sacrificed due to the state's incompetence and irresponsibility, appropriate rights guarantees have not been received."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting attendees at the Youth Workers Town Hall Meeting on Labor Policy held by the two major labor unions at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Earlier, on the morning of the 5th, Lee announced at the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting that he would appoint Lee Rae-kyung, honorary director of the nonprofit organization Dareunbaeknyeon, as head of the party's innovation body. However, controversial posts Lee had made in the past on social media, including conspiracy theories about the Cheonan ship sinking and the origin of COVID-19 in the U.S., sparked backlash, leading to Lee Rae-kyung's voluntary resignation just nine hours after the appointment. Additionally, controversy intensified when Democratic Party chief spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung made inappropriate remarks such as "How dare the Cheonan ship captain say such things?"

There are calls for the party leader to directly apologize and manage the situation. However, Lee did not comment on the issue during the Supreme Council meeting the day before. After the meeting, he told reporters, "As the party leader holds authority, whether internal discussions were sufficient or not, it is the party leader's role to take unlimited responsibility for the outcomes." He did not answer questions from the press about how he would take responsibility.

After the labor policy meeting that day, when asked by reporters about ways to overcome the party's crisis, Lee replied, "The key to solving the problem is to discover excellent talent and listen to many opinions to pursue better innovation." This suggests he intends to resolve the issue through the formation of a new Innovation Committee rather than through separate damage control measures.

Voices calling for an apology have emerged not only from the anti-Lee faction within the party but also from pro-Lee factions. Jung Sung-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker and close aide to Lee, said on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' program that "I believe the leader selected (Lee Rae-kyung) based on his principles, but since it does not meet the public's expectations, I think an appropriate expression of regret is necessary."

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won advised on Facebook the day before, "I urged the leader to apologize to the public and party members regarding the current situation and to apologize for the criticism of the Cheonan ship captain," adding, "The leader should apologize and cut ties."

Lee's stance contrasts with that of chief spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung, who has been apologizing repeatedly to the Cheonan survivors. After his inappropriate remarks, Kwon held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 7th to publicly apologize and also met with Jeon Jun-young, chairman of the Cheonan Survivors Reserve Veterans Association, to apologize. That afternoon, Kwon planned to meet former Cheonan captain Choi Won-il in person to convey his apologies.