Conflict Between Jagangron and Third Zone Theory... Intensified Factional Struggle Within the Party
As the Justice Party falls into internal strife following a crushing defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor by-election, leader Lee Jeong-mi stated, "We will find a breakthrough for the general election no matter what it takes."
Leader Lee repeatedly emphasized the 'self-strengthening theory' centered on green and labor as the breakthrough. However, criticism from those demanding change within the party, saying "Nothing has changed at all," has prevented the internal conflict from being resolved.
Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, is speaking at the Executive Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. 2023.10.23 [Image source=Yonhap News]
In a KBS radio interview on the 24th, Lee said, "We need to clearly show what our party intends to do to establish a foundation, which will also enable broad alliances and coalitions," adding, "The self-strengthening theory is just one process."
Regarding calls for the leadership to resign, she drew a line, saying, "It's not that we haven't considered it, but through meetings with the parliamentary group and consecutive meetings with metropolitan and provincial party chairpersons, there was a demand that resignation is not the solution at this moment, and that it is necessary to conclude how to move forward."
She continued, "We have a re-founding convention scheduled for November," emphasizing, "By the re-founding convention, we will unite internal differences and present solutions to the crises facing the era as originally discussed by the Justice Party. Within that, we will establish the party’s core and create a breakthrough for broader alliances and coalitions during the general election process no matter what it takes."
The Justice Party garnered only 1.83% of the vote in the Gangseo District Mayor by-election. In response, the 'Alternative New Party Members' group, which has advocated for expanding the third political bloc within the party, along with lawmakers Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young leading the 'Third Power,' have called for the "total resignation of the leadership" and a shift in the party’s direction. Kim Chang-in, the youth Justice Party leader and a member of the leadership, also resigned from his position on the 16th, urging the leadership to step down.
However, as the party leadership has effectively rejected the demand to expand the third political bloc, the internal conflict remains unresolved. On the 20th, Lawmaker Ryu criticized in a video on her YouTube channel, "'It can't go on like this' was a consensus inside and outside the party, but (the leadership’s stance is) 'Let's keep going as is,' right? So the problem keeps going in circles."
Ryu continued, "We are not suddenly collapsing but gradually sinking," and pressured the leadership, saying, "If you do not have the courage to transition to the third political bloc, then resignation is the right course."
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