On the 16th, Key Figures Kim Jong-min, Lee Won-wook, Yoon Young-chan, Jo Eung-cheon, etc.
"Democratic Party ≠ Lee Jae-myung Party, Must Abandon Fandom Politics"
Even Pro-Lee Faction Advises "Lee Should Embrace Non-Lee Factions"
The Democratic Party of Korea is experiencing internal strife as the general election approaches in five months. An official group of non-Lee Jae-myung (Bi-Myung) faction lawmakers, who are the party's minority, has been launched, formally demanding changes to Lee Jae-myung's loyalist system. Meanwhile, Lee Sang-min, who has clashed with Lee, is pressuring the party leadership by leveraging the 'resignation card.'
On the 16th, Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Jong-min, Lee Won-wook, Yoon Young-chan, and Cho Eung-cheon held a press conference at the National Assembly to officially announce the launch of the Bi-Myung faction lawmakers' group called 'Principles and Common Sense.' They explained the purpose of the launch by stating, "We pursue party democracy instead of intra-party hegemony, morality and ethical awareness instead of double standards and indulgence, and harmony between party sentiment and public sentiment instead of fandom politics." They also urged the Democratic Party to change, emphasizing that a strong opposition party is necessary to stop the Yoon Seok-youl administration's arrogance, unilateralism, and prosecutorial dictatorship.
They presented major principles such as ▲restoring morality ▲restoring intra-party democracy ▲restoring visionary politics, stressing the need for the party's decisive action. This is interpreted as an intention to shed the image of a 'bulletproof party' gained while responding to Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks, recover morality damaged by incidents such as money envelope scandals and lawmaker Kim Nam-guk's cryptocurrency case, and overcome the indulgence shown by the party during this process. They also demanded party reform and innovation from Lee Jae-myung and the leadership, citing that hateful politics continue due to the hardline supporters known as 'Gaeddal' (dog daughters).
They pointed out, "The Democratic Party is neither Lee Jae-myung's party nor the party of hardline supporters," adding, "With a leadership dominated by pro-Lee members, hardline supporters, and external YouTube media, the party cannot become the people's Democratic Party with such uniform and totalitarian voices." They continued, "The pro-Lee candidate screening and anti-Bi-Myung defeat campaigns conducted by 'pro-Lee identifiers' are dragging the party down to the level of the 'pro-Park identification party' during the Park Geun-hye administration," and raised their voices, saying, "We must boldly break away from hardline fandom politics and restore intra-party democracy." Furthermore, they emphasized, "The goal of Democratic Party politics is not fighting and ruling but changing people's livelihoods and the future," and stressed the need to move toward 'visionary politics' rather than mere 'combat politics' focused on winning fights.
Although the launch of 'Principles and Common Sense' was led by four representative Bi-Myung faction lawmakers, it cannot be ruled out that other lawmakers who share concerns about the current pro-Lee leadership-centered party direction may also participate. Especially as competition intensifies with pro-Lee faction non-incumbent figures over nominations, there is speculation that this group could serve as a rallying point for anti-pro-Lee forces.
At the press conference, they said, "We are confident that the positions and views we have individually expressed so far are not ours alone," and added, "Many silent party members, voters, and lawmakers who have no choice but to watch over the current Democratic Party due to the government's and ruling party's failures are with us, and we believe more will actively participate in the future."
For now, 'Principles and Common Sense' plans to raise their voices for party reform by gathering scattered opinions and holding discussions. While some speculate that this group might be the foundation for resignations, their current goal is to improve the party.
As concerns arise that the official formation of the Bi-Myung faction might intensify intra-party conflicts, pro-Lee lawmaker Kim Du-kwan appeared on SBS Radio that day and diagnosed, "It depends on Lee Jae-myung."
When asked by the host whether Lee Jae-myung should embrace the lawmakers of the Principles and Common Sense group, Kim replied, "Yes." He emphasized, "If Lee decides to embrace the Bi-Myung faction, there will be no resignations or such incidents. But if the leadership is formed solely by pro-Lee members and continues on the current path, different decisions may be made. Right now, we need to deeply discuss election strategies, including running in difficult districts, with Bi-Myung lawmakers such as Cho Eung-cheon, Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, and Yoon Young-chan."
Kim said, "Some people hope the Bi-Myung faction would voluntarily leave, but if the pro-Lee loyalists fill the vacancies left by the Bi-Myung faction, the Democratic Party will suffer a devastating defeat in the general election."
However, Lee Sang-min, who mentioned the possibility of resignation, was seen as having a different stance. When asked if Lee Jae-myung should also embrace Lee Sang-min, Kim replied, "Lee Sang-min has crossed the Rubicon to the extent that we cannot embrace him."
Unlike other Bi-Myung lawmakers who drew a line on the possibility of resignation, Lee Sang-min said he would announce his position by early December, leaving open the possibility of resignation. While the Principles and Common Sense participating lawmakers will demand improvements while remaining within the party, he explained that his position differs from that. On the previous day’s BBS Radio, he also responded to the possibility of joining the People Power Party by saying, "It cannot be ruled out."
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