Democratic Party's Dilemma... No 'Lee Jae-myung Challenger'

'Yaksok Primary' Emerges but Finding Candidates Seems Difficult
Possibility of Non-Primary Nomination Method Also Raised

The Democratic Party of Korea is struggling to find a party leader candidate to compete with Representative Lee Jae-myung ahead of the August 18 party convention. There are concerns that if Representative Lee runs as the sole candidate, criticism of a 'unipolar system' and 'Lee Jae-myung's factionalization' could intensify. Inside and outside the political circle, there are criticisms that the Democratic Party convention could be nothing more than a 'Lee Jae-myung coronation' due to the possibility of a party leader election without any candidates.

According to political circles on the 26th, within the Democratic Party, there is talk of significantly shortening the candidate selection schedule instead of following the existing election process for the party convention. Until now, the party convention has been conducted through regional tour primaries, dividing the country into regions and sequentially conducting voting and counting. This method served as a platform for each candidate to demonstrate their capabilities through joint regional speeches before the main election and to consolidate nationwide support.

However, the atmosphere surrounding this party convention is distinctly different from before. This is because the election will decide Representative Lee’s reappointment as party leader. It is the first time in 24 years since former President Kim Dae-jung. Candidates for the Supreme Council are advocating slogans such as 'Eodaemyeong' (Anyway, the leader is Lee Jae-myung), 'Ttodaemyeong' (Again, the leader is Lee Jae-myung), and 'Dangdaemyeong' (Naturally, the leader is Lee Jae-myung), promoting the 'Lee Jae-myung 2nd term system.'

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@

Given this situation, there is not even speculation about candidates who could compete with Representative Lee within the party. Only a few mention former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok from the anti-Lee faction. The problem with a party convention without candidates is the high likelihood of growing resentment toward the 'unipolar system.' This growing resentment could become an obstacle to expanding the centrist base. A figure from the opposition party pointed out, "The Lee Jae-myung 2nd term system is like increasing risk by shrinking the support base to reduce Representative Lee’s judicial risks."

Experts foresee that the Democratic Party’s convention preparation committee may shift from an election method to an acclamation method. It is explained that continuing Representative Lee’s reappointment through acclamation is the best way to minimize criticism of factionalization. In the case of acclamation, the party leader can assume the position without an election vote and without touring regions. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong analyzed, "If the preparation committee first announces the call for party leader candidates and then judges that there are no suitable applicants, it could decide on the acclamation method through the party’s central committee."

Some speculate that a competitive candidate might be sought to hold a so-called promised election. This is a plan by the pro-Lee faction to select a candidate to reduce the risk of Lee running unopposed, but the dominant analysis is that finding a candidate will be difficult. The ruling party has repeatedly criticized Representative Lee’s factionalization. Han Dong-hoon, former emergency committee member who is running for the People Power Party leadership, evaluated, "It is not challenging at all."