Attention is focused on the meeting between former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who returned after studying in the United States, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. However, the so-called 'Gaeddal,' a strong opposition supporter group, is acting as a negative factor in the meeting. The 'pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction' claims that Gaeddal members are still fervently demonizing the former leader, and that the recently surfaced 'Shincheonji involvement rumor' about Lee Nak-yeon was also spread by Gaeddal. They have urged Lee Jae-myung to "do what needs to be done before meeting."
Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party lawmaker from the pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction, said on the SBS program 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 30th, "First, trust between the two must be restored," adding, "The demonization of the former leader and the 'Shincheonji involvement rumors' have been spreading rapidly even recently. I want to say that it is really difficult to restore trust in this way."
The issue of Gaeddal's demonization of the former leader has been consistently raised by the pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction as a serious problem. Recently, the 'Shincheonji involvement rumor' about the former leader has been raised on various internet communities and party member boards, prompting the former leader's side to announce legal action. The pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction suspects that Gaeddal is behind the spread of the 'Shincheonji involvement rumor.'
If the issue of the strong fandom is not resolved, it is interpreted that restoring trust between the former leader and the current leader will be difficult, and the meeting will also be challenging. Lawmaker Yoon said, "If there is genuine trust and a determination to reform the Democratic Party and judge the Yoon Suk-yeol government in next year's general election, there is no reason for the former leader not to help."
Former lawmaker Shin Kyung-min, also from the pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction, said on YTN's 'ENP' radio the day before, "(The two) will meet. They have no choice but to meet. And they must meet. But I hope they do some of the necessary work beforehand," adding, "There are several things that need to be done. Right now, on the occasion of his return, absurd rumors about his connection to Shincheonji are being posted not only on social media but also on party boards, and it seems these are the acts of Gaeddal. This needs to be stopped."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Former lawmaker Shin said, "Those who keep posting this officially on party boards need to be reprimanded. Not just politely in words, but officially punish those leading the 'demonization of Lee Nak-yeon.' However, just repeatedly saying on broadcasts that they need to meet is, in my opinion, irresponsible and somewhat backwards." The resolution of the 'demonization of Lee Nak-yeon' issue caused by the Gaeddal fandom should come first, and the meeting should follow.
Nevertheless, amid this, the pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction is clearly stating that Lee Jae-myung should lead the general election and is focusing on minimizing internal party discord. On the same day, lawmaker Lee Gae-ho said on YTN's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' "Realistically, it has to be that way (Lee Jae-myung's leadership for the general election)," adding, "Currently, the party member with the most public support is naturally the current leader, Lee Jae-myung, and he is also leading in opinion polls among the next presidential candidates."
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