[Politics That Day] Words Lee Jae-myung Said on Lee Nak-yeon's 2021 Retirement Day

March 2021 Democratic Party Leader Lee Nak-yeon Steps Down
Lee Jae-myung's Surprise Support, Praise for Lee Nak-yeon's Political Skills
Political Turning Point Lee Nak-yeon, a Choice That Could Be a Variable in the General Election

Editor's Note‘On That Day in Politics’ is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures that deserve attention.

“In a major transition period where people's lives become unstable, how to protect the lives of the people is the challenge of the era.”

Politician Lee Nak-yeon was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea in March 2021. His message was different from that of ordinary politicians. It encompassed the blueprint of the nation. It contained the insight befitting a politician aspiring to be president. There are many politicians in Yeouido’s political circles, but not everyone dreams of the presidency.

A considerable number of politicians end their political careers without even reaching the threshold of the party’s presidential primary. In that sense, politician Lee Nak-yeon is a figure who has experienced a shining moment. He was treated as a leading presidential candidate and experienced running solo in the next presidential race.

Politician Lee Nak-yeon stands at a crossroads in December 2023. It is time for him to decide whether to continue nurturing his presidential dream within the Democratic Party, where he has spent his entire career, or to seek politics in a new space. The Democratic Party’s leadership under Lee Jae-myung has become more solidified. Not only in party positions but also in what is called the party’s grassroots sentiment, voices favorable to Lee Jae-myung have gained strength.

Lee Nak-yeon, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the National Vision and National Integration Committee Peace Vision Meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on February 9, 2022, delivering a keynote speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Politics is said to be a living organism, but for politician Lee Nak-yeon, many thoughts are inevitable. Political enthusiasts are paying attention to the possibility of his leaving the party.

Politician Lee Nak-yeon knows better than anyone what leaving the party would mean in his political life. Since becoming a member of the National Assembly in the 16th general election in 2000, he has absorbed the nature of Yeouido politics for over 20 years. He is aware that there are fewer politicians than expected who have experienced the political effects they hoped for after choosing to leave their party.

Just over two years ago, politician Lee Nak-yeon was the head of the Democratic Party. On March 9, 2021, he stepped down from the party leader position. For politician Lee Nak-yeon, 2020 and 2021 were different political seasons. In the first half of 2020, including politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, Lee Nak-yeon’s solo dominance in the next presidential race continued.

As summer 2020 approached, politician Lee Jae-myung rose, and after that winter, he took over the top spot among Democratic Party presidential candidates from politician Lee Nak-yeon. When politician Lee Nak-yeon stepped down as party leader, he was ranked third among presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties, behind Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl.

When politician Lee Nak-yeon stepped down as party leader, the Korean Gallup poll results were like a preview of the next presidential election. In the second week of March 2021, the poll showed Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl at 24%, and Lee Nak-yeon at 11%.

At that time, the poll was conducted from March 9 to 11, 2021, targeting 1,003 people aged 18 and over nationwide through telephone interviews by mobile phone. The sampling error was ±3.1 percentage points (95% confidence level). For detailed information, please check the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.

Politician Lee Nak-yeon’s failure to maintain the political momentum that led to the Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the 21st general election in 2020 is a regrettable point.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), and Lee Nak-yeon, former Democratic Party leader, are holding a teapot during a meeting at a tea house in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 24, 2021. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

When politician Lee Nak-yeon stepped down as party leader and was asked about the polls, he said, “The hearts of the people are always moving.” It was a message that left a lingering impression.

On the day politician Lee Nak-yeon stepped down as Democratic Party leader, then-Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung was also present. On that day, politician Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung shared tea and conversation in the Democratic Party leader’s office. The fact that Lee Jae-myung, who had not previously participated, attended the party committee meeting in his capacity as governor was interpreted as a gesture to support Lee Nak-yeon’s final schedule.

After attending, politician Lee Jae-myung told reporters, “Leader Lee achieved great results during difficult times and led the party steadily, so as a party member, I came specifically to applaud him.”

Since March 2021, the political environment has changed a lot. The Democratic Party, which was the ruling party, became the opposition. Yoon Seok-youl, who emerged as the presidential candidate of the broad opposition at the time, became the president of the Republic of Korea. Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, became the Democratic Party leader. Former leader Lee Nak-yeon stands at a turning point in his political life.

Just as the political environments of March 2021 and December 2023 differ, the political environment in April 2024 may also change. What choice will politician Lee Nak-yeon make ahead of the general election? What stance will politician Lee Jae-myung show during that decision-making process? Depending on the outcome, not only next year’s general election but also the blueprint for the 2027 presidential election is expected to change.