Lee Jae-myung Considering Resignation to Seek Party Leader Re-election... Lee "Still Thinking"

Democratic Party Completes 'Lee Jae-myung Customized Party Charter Amendment'
Lee Can Also Exercise 'Local Election Nomination Rights' If Re-elected

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is reportedly planning to resign from his position as party leader soon in order to run for re-election at the next party convention. However, when asked whether he would run after resigning, Lee replied, "I am still considering it," suggesting that the timing and other details may still be adjusted.

On the afternoon of the 19th, at the National Assembly, when a reporter mentioned, "There was an article saying that you will resign as party leader after the Supreme Council meeting on the 21st and run for the next party leader," Lee responded, "There was an article?" and stated, "I am still considering it..." He did not answer questions about whether Rep. Kim Min-seok would be his running mate or whether he had decided on the resignation timing. Earlier that morning, some media outlets reported that Lee was expected to resign on the 21st to prepare for the party convention scheduled for August.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

A Democratic Party official described the possibility of Lee resigning for re-election as "undecided," while another official deferred the answer, saying, "We have to trust what the person involved says." However, the Democratic Party completed a controversial "Lee Jae-myung tailored party constitution amendment" on the 17th, which was criticized as being aimed at Lee's re-election and presidential bid. According to the existing party constitution, if Lee seeks the presidency in 2027, he cannot complete the full two-year term as party leader, during which he would exercise nomination rights for local elections. He must resign before March 2026, one year before the next presidential election. However, the recent amendment includes a clause allowing the party's executive committee to set a different resignation deadline for the party leader.

Since last month, the theory of "Lee Jae-myung's re-election endorsement" has been dominant within the Democratic Party. Inside and outside the party, there have been claims such as "There is no alternative to Lee Jae-myung" and "Strong leadership is needed to counter the Yoon Seok-youl administration." On the 14th of last month, party spokesperson Han Min-soo said in a radio interview, "Although he has not yet spoken about re-election, the opinion that re-election is necessary is growing," adding, "I believe Lee's leadership is needed to vigorously push forward reforms."