Lee Jae-myung's Hunger Strike to Resolve Opposition Faction Conflict? "It Has Not Disappeared"

Sangmin Lee "Party Atmosphere Prefers to Avoid If Possible"
Eungcheon Jo "Harsh but Rejection Means Bulletproof Hell"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been continuing his hunger strike for the 13th day, and as internal cohesion is achieved through the hunger strike, factional conflicts seem to be subsiding. However, if the prosecution files an arrest warrant and the consent to arrest bill is submitted to the National Assembly, there is a possibility that factional conflicts between pro-Myung (친명) and anti-Myung (비명) factions will flare up again over the approval or rejection of the consent to arrest bill.

Pro-Myung Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-jin responded positively on the 12th to the host's question on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" asking, "Should we see this as strengthening party unity?" saying, "I think this is a common sentiment felt within the Democratic Party and by the public, and there seems to be such an atmosphere within the party as well."

As Lee's hunger strike prolongs, the factional conflicts that have shaken the party so far appear to be calming down. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon visited the hunger strike site on the 10th to request a halt, and Park Ji-hyun, former emergency committee chairwoman of the Democratic Party who was in opposition to him, also visited the site the day before and showed tears.

However, the anti-Myung faction maintains that the factional conflicts have not disappeared but are merely dormant. Anti-Myung Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min said on the 11th on YTN's "Shin Yul's News Face-off," "(Factional conflicts) have not disappeared but are dormant, I think that’s a better way to put it," reminding that they could resurface at any time.

Because judicial risks and issues such as strong fandoms persist. He said, "In my case, I demanded Lee’s resignation, but since he is on a hunger strike, it’s really difficult to say that (resignation). It’s a harsh thing to say, so there is indeed an atmosphere within the party trying to avoid such things." He added, "However, we cannot just pretend that the various problems within the party, such as the strong fandom issues, or the distorted parts like 'Gaeddal' (devoted female supporters), or Lee’s judicial suspicions that negatively affect the party, simply do not exist."

In particular, if the consent to arrest bill regarding Lee is submitted to the National Assembly, factional conflicts could ignite again. The pro-Myung faction is calling for 'rejection,' but the anti-Myung faction clearly believes it should be approved for the sake of next year’s general election.

Anti-Myung Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon said on the 12th on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show," "It’s really harsh to tell someone who is currently on a hunger strike and struggling to keep their promise, but if we reject it here, what are we going to say to the people and ask for votes in the upcoming general election, which is not far away?" He added, "We will be trapped in a 'bulletproof hell.' That is probably something the People Power Party really hopes for."

Meanwhile, the ruling party sees the possibility of the consent to arrest bill passing as dependent on Lee’s physical condition. People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said on BBS's "Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal," "It might vary depending on the timing. If it comes up before Chuseok, it seems likely to be rejected, but if the consent to arrest bill comes up after Chuseok, it seems likely to be approved." He added, "If the hunger strike ends before Chuseok, his health will recover after Chuseok, and if he is in good health, even if anti-Myung faction lawmakers support the consent to arrest bill, sympathy for Lee Jae-myung is less likely to arise."