Lee Jae-myung "We Must Pursue Inclusive Politics, Not Exclusion"... 'Lee Nak-yeon Party Expulsion Petition' Also Deleted

Over 70,000 Agreed to Lee's Permanent Expulsion Last February
Pro-Myung Kim Young-jin: "Petition Deleted on Principles of Unity and Integration"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said to hardline party members that "politics of integration and unity is necessary," while the petition for expulsion against former leader Lee Nak-yeon, which had been posted on the Democratic Party's website, was also deleted.

On the 5th, Lee posted on his social media (SNS), "Freedom of expression is the essence of democracy, and everyone should be able to express diverse opinions," adding, "That is why democracy is the art of diversity. Politics is about freely expressing opinions and receiving the judgment of the people."

This is interpreted as a response to the petition for expulsion against former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has recently been critical of the Democratic Party. The petition against Lee Nak-yeon was posted on the Democratic Party's National Response Center on the 3rd and gained the support of over 20,000 party members, but it was deleted after Lee Jae-myung made his statement.

Former Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jae-myung emphasized, "Politics is about freely expressing opinions and receiving the judgment of the people," and added, "This should be even more so in political organizations such as parties." He continued, "Instead of reacting sensitively to opposing opinions, it is the Democratic Party's way to freely express counterarguments and create democratic discussions."

He further stated, "Politics of integration and unity, not exclusion, is necessary," and "Winning the general election and stopping the reckless rule of the government is the Democratic Party's historic mission. Let us join forces to judge the unruly government and devote all efforts to restoring people's livelihoods."

There was also a petition for expulsion against former leader Lee Nak-yeon in February. At that time, during the vote on the arrest consent bill for Lee Jae-myung, a permanent expulsion petition against Lee Nak-yeon gained the support of about 73,000 people.

Kim Young-jin, head of political coordination for the party leader and a Democratic Party lawmaker, explained that the deletion was due to the judgment that it was "not appropriate to proceed with politics of integration and unity." On the 6th, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Kim said, "The leader has consistently stated principles on this issue," adding, "Through politics of unity and integration, we aim to restore the collapsing Republic of Korea and prevent the collapse of the democratic system by winning this general election. To do so, we should not approach minor internal conflicts with exclusion or hatred."

Kim said, "We do not check every post on the website, but after former leader Lee Nak-yeon mentioned it, we confirmed and immediately deleted it," adding, "The Secretary-General judged that it was not appropriate to proceed with politics of integration and unity, not politics of exclusion, and made the decision."

Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Sung-min viewed the deletion as "the party's will not to allow unilateral violence aimed at expelling a specific person." On the same day, appearing on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Park said, "It seems that the party has the will not to allow unilateral violence aimed at expelling a specific person, and I think that instruction was given by Lee Jae-myung. In that sense, beyond concrete actions, it seems necessary for the two to meet and talk. Ultimately, to resolve this, they must meet, and they need to muster the courage to do so together."