Democratic Party Clash Over Delegate Exclusion 'Innovation Plan'... Lee Jae-myung Also Faces Resignation Demand

Strong Opposition from Bimyeong Faction to Expansion of Party Member Voting Rights
Calls for Intensified Ruling Party Offensive, Criticism of Reform Plan's Legitimacy
Growing Factional Conflict Between Chinmyeong and Bimyeong... Calls for Leadership Resignation

Internal conflicts are deepening within the Democratic Party of Korea over the party reform proposal that excludes delegate voting at the party convention and expands penalty points for lower-rated incumbent lawmakers during candidate nominations.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At the Democratic Party lawmakers' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th, voices opposing the reform proposal emerged mainly from the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bi-Myeong faction).

They particularly oppose the plan to exclude delegates from the party convention voting ratio and increase the weight of party members with voting rights and public opinion polls.

Lee So-young, the party floor spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "There was a considerable opinion that it is urgent to hold the Yoon Seok-yeol government accountable for constitutional disregard and the collapse of people’s livelihoods, and to strengthen the offensive against the ruling party."

The Bi-Myeong faction is wary of the increase in the proportion of party member votes following the rise in party members supporting Representative Lee Jae-myung since the last presidential election.

Lawmaker Kim Jong-min reportedly stated that most advanced parties worldwide elect party leaders and public office candidates through delegates, and now is not the time to discuss (reforming the delegate system).

The Bi-Myeong faction also questioned the legitimacy of the Innovation Committee. Citing Chairwoman Kim Eun-kyung’s remarks belittling the elderly, they pointed out that since the Innovation Committee itself sparked controversy, it is difficult to accept the reform proposal.

Kim Eun-kyung, Chair of the Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is entering the National Assembly on the 10th to announce the innovation plan. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon told reporters, "The rushed reform proposal only caused discord, and arguing over it itself helps President Yoon," adding that about 20 lawmakers expressed negative opinions about excluding delegates.

Calls for Representative Lee Jae-myung’s resignation also surfaced. Lawmaker Seol Hoon criticized, "Since the party’s approval rating is not rising and we cannot properly fight against President Yoon, shouldn’t the party leader resign and all the Supreme Council members step down as well?"

Representative Lee did not make any particular remarks at the meeting but is reportedly strongly determined to quickly reach a conclusion on whether to accept the reform proposal.

As factional conflicts become openly apparent, internal party disputes are expected to continue.

Party floor leader Park Kwang-on said at the meeting, "There is no need to belittle the very awareness of problems held by the Innovation Committee," but added, "We are in the process of calmly gathering opinions on the controversial issues."

Spokesperson Lee explained, "There will be opportunities to express opinions on the reform proposal at the lawmakers’ workshop scheduled for the 28th to 29th."