Bimyeong Faction Voices "Let's Transition to Integrated Emergency Committee"... Pressure on Leader Lee Jae-myung

Kim Ki-hyun's Resignation... Jo Eung-cheon "Got the First Blow"
Pro-Myeong Faction "No Nomination Without Lee Jae-myung's Seal"
Kim Han-gyu "Naturally Concerned Even Within the Democratic Party"

Following the announcement of non-candidacy by Jang Je-won, a key figure of the pro-Yoon (Chin-Yoon) faction and a member of the People Power Party, and the resignation of Kim Ki-hyun, the party leader, voices are emerging within the opposition calling for 'innovation.'

In particular, the non-Myeong (Bi-Myeong) reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' (Kim Jong-min, Yoon Young-chan, Lee Won-wook, Jo Eung-cheon) demanded the resignation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and raised their voices saying, "We must move toward a unified emergency committee." While pro-Myeong (Chin-Myeong) figures within the party immediately fired crossfire at their demands, concerns are also being raised that "the situation inevitably deepens the dilemma."

On the morning of the 14th, Principles and Common Sense held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "From the party leader to the leadership and the senior 586 members, each must make a selfless decision to relinquish vested interests for the greater good," and demanded a decision from Lee, saying, "Only the party leader can open this path. The party leader must lead the way to a unified emergency committee with selflessness."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Their demand for Lee's resignation and transition to a unified emergency committee came after Kim, the party leader, pulled out the resignation card after much deliberation the previous day, and the People Power Party decided to transition to an emergency committee that day, taking the lead in political innovation. Jo Eung-cheon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, commented on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying, "In colloquial terms, the first strike was taken away," and added, "If the people are to give corresponding recognition, we must respond more strongly."

They said, "So far, the Democratic Party has been criticized as a shield party, a money envelope party, a double standard party, a fandom party, a 586 vested interest party, and a party divided between pro- and non-Myeong factions," adding, "If there is no struggle to change or transform ahead of the election, it is not right toward the people."

They earnestly appealed to Lee, saying, "We sincerely urge you to step back for the sake of winning the general election and delivering an overwhelming judgment on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Only then can the Democratic Party break free from the shackles of being a shield party, a fandom party, and a hegemonic party," and added, "With the full-scale election campaign starting in January, it is not right to leave the party leader to attend trial three times a week during this critical time, with the risk of a guilty verdict depending on the trial outcome, neglecting the people and party members."

In response to these demands from the non-Myeong faction, the pro-Myeong faction immediately criticized them. Jeong Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member, wrote on his social media, "If you failed to drive the party leader into a corner with the help of the prosecution, reflection and introspection should come first," and said, "Unless you are building up for defection or joining a new party, restrain yourselves. There is no nomination without Lee's official seal."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min also argued, "The majority of the public perceives that Kim was ousted by the president. Claiming that the People Power Party's formation of an emergency committee is innovation is far from the essence," and asserted, "It is merely a political plot for the ruling party's control by the presidential office and crony nominations."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Yi-won-young said, "Have you ever acknowledged Lee Jae-myung, who was elected by 78% of party members? You have never acknowledged him but still demand his resignation," and added, "Even after leading over 70 prosecutors to conduct more than 370 raids without presenting a single piece of evidence, do you have no courage to fight against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration that is privatizing investigative power to eliminate political opponents?"

Kim Han-gyu, a Democratic Party lawmaker who appeared on YTN's 'News & Issue,' said, "Personally, I do not agree that senior lawmakers' non-candidacy is innovation, but realistically, it did have a positive impact on the relevant party in the last election," and added, "Therefore, the Democratic Party is naturally in a situation where deep reflection is inevitable."