Park Chan-dae "Lee Nak-yeon and Byeong-gye's Resignation Is Regrettable... May Appear as Opposition Division"

"Lee Jae-myung - Jeong Seong-ho Text Messages, Seeking Advice"

Park Chan-dae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed concern over the resignation of lawmakers Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, and Cho Eung-cheon, members of the intra-party anti-Lee Jae-myung faction group 'Principles and Common Sense,' saying that not only the Democratic Party but also the opposition should unite more firmly, but the resignations could be seen as opposition division.

On the 11th, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and shared his feelings, calling the successive resignation announcements "regrettable." He said, "When thinking about who would benefit after the resignations, it seems difficult for the resignations and the formation of a new party to meet the public demand for judging the Yoon Seok-youl administration."

Regarding the resignation of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, he said, "I feel the same as with the resignation of the three anti-Lee faction members," adding, "It is difficult to convey words of dissuasion any longer, but it is very regrettable that someone who has shared the trajectory with the Democratic Party through five terms as a lawmaker, party leader, and prime minister is resigning."

Lee Won-wook (from left), Kim Jong-min, and Cho Eung-cheon, members of the 'Principles and Common Sense' group, a non-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea, are leaving the press conference held at the National Assembly on the 10th after announcing their withdrawal from the party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding those who have resigned or announced their resignation from the Democratic Party criticizing the 'Lee Jae-myung factionalization,' he said, "Factional politics is being eliminated, and authority is being transferred from lawmakers in Yeouido to the people-centered party members; rather, democratization is taking place within the party, so I find it difficult to agree with describing this as factionalization." However, he pointed out, "It is true that it is regrettable that we are not embracing minority opinions well and that there is a lack of unity in our efforts to come together."

Regarding the controversy over Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, discussing disciplinary measures related to sexual harassment allegations against Jeong Seong-ho, the leader of the pro-Lee faction, and Hyun Geun-taek, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, which escalated into a 'factionalization controversy,' he said, "It was a matter of seeking advice," cautioning against overinterpretation. He emphasized, "No matter how lonely the party leader is, he cannot make decisions alone without consulting or seeking advice from anyone," adding, "Even when left alone in a hospital room, it is perfectly reasonable and possible to ask a few trusted people for their opinions."

Regarding the police's announcement of the investigation results into the attack on Lee, Park expressed dissatisfaction. He said, "Overall, it seems the police gave the impression of downplaying and concealing the truth rather than revealing it," and criticized, "In cases of political terrorism, the motive, accomplices or masterminds, and the causes and processes leading to the political terrorism should be fully revealed, but I judge that this was insufficient."