Revising Party Constitution and Rules, Democratic Party Strengthens 'Lee Jae-myung Unipolar System'

Revision of Article 25 of Party Constitution on Separation of Party Leadership and Presidential Rights
Extension of Leadership Term Enables Local Election Nomination Rights
Abolition of Key Clause on Morality Standards in Article 80
Experts Warn "Increased Resistance Due to Party Becoming a Private Faction"

The Democratic Party of Korea has begun revising its party constitution and regulations to adjust the resignation deadline for the party leader running in the presidential election. This move is interpreted as a strategic step by Representative Lee Jae-myung to exercise influence over local election nominations before his presidential bid. If the revision of the party constitution and regulations is completed as planned, the 'one-pole system' centered around Representative Lee is expected to deepen further.

According to the final draft of the party constitution and regulations distributed to party members on the 31st, the first item includes the revision of Article 25 of the party constitution, titled 'Adjustment of the resignation deadline for the party leader and supreme council members running in the presidential election.' Article 25 stipulates the separation of party leadership and presidential candidacy. In other words, party leaders and supreme council members running for president must resign from their positions at least one year before the election. The Democratic Party is pushing for this revision on the grounds that 'if the resignation deadline coincides with the schedule of nationwide elections, internal confusion within the party is inevitable.' This can prevent Representative Lee from resigning by March 2026, one year before the March 2027 presidential election. Essentially, this means that Representative Lee will be able to exercise nomination rights in the June 2026 local elections.

The second item in the final draft specifies the abolition of Article 80 of the party constitution. Currently, this article mandates the suspension of party officials involved in corruption as soon as they are indicted. It is a key provision reflecting the party's moral standards. If the Democratic Party abolishes Article 80, it can fundamentally block internal controversies arising from Representative Lee's 'judicial risks.' The criteria for disqualification from nominations will also be strengthened. The existing clause, 'those who completely refuse party-government cooperation or significantly violate party decisions or party lines,' will be expanded to include 'those with disciplinary records due to violations of party lines.'

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Experts view the Democratic Party's revision of the party constitution and regulations as a consolidation of the 'Lee Jae-myung one-pole system.' Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said in a phone interview, "Theoretically, according to Article 25, Representative Lee could simply resign from his position before the local elections," adding, "The core issue is not a public party but the personalization of the party around him." Political commentator Park Sang-byeong analyzed, "This revision of the party constitution and regulations first means 'crossing the line,' and secondly, it goes against public sentiment," and warned, "The consolidation of the Lee leadership could actually provoke stronger public resistance."

Jang Kyung-tae, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party and head of the task force for revising the party constitution and regulations, explained regarding the revision of Article 25, "This is not about deleting or changing the one-year resignation rule, but adding an exception clause." The revision will be finalized once approved by the Democratic Party's Supreme Council and the Party Affairs Committee. The Democratic Party plans to approve the agenda at the Supreme Council meeting and finalize it at the Party Affairs Committee next week.