Lee Jae-myung Proposes 'Summit Meeting' Immediately After Reappointment... Burden of 'Unipolar System' Remains a Challenge (Comprehensive Report 2)

Lee Final Vote Share 85.40% 1st Place
"Open Discussion on Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law"
Strong Pro-Myeong Faction Massively Enters Supreme Council
'Myeongpali' Controversy Candidate Jeong Bong-ju Eliminated

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, succeeded in his re-election on the 18th. Pro-Lee faction members of the Supreme Council largely joined the Lee Jae-myung 2nd term leadership team. Lee repeatedly emphasized the so-called 'Meoksanism' for the recovery of the people's economy. He immediately proposed a summit meeting to President Yoon Seok-yeol and also requested a meeting with Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party.

The Democratic Party announced that in the party representative election held at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Olympic Park on the same day, candidate Lee Jae-myung recorded a final vote share of 85.40%, ranking first. Lee is the first party leader to succeed in re-election in a Democratic Party-affiliated party in 24 years since former President Kim Dae-jung. His competitors, candidate Kim Du-kwan and candidate Kim Ji-soo, recorded final vote shares of 12.12% and 2.48%, respectively. Lee set a new record for the highest combined vote share (77.7%) in party representative elections held by the Democratic Party and past pro-democracy affiliated parties.

Lee Jae-myung, the elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering his acceptance speech at the '2024 Democratic Party of Korea 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention' held on the 18th at KSPO Dome, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Lee proposes "summit meeting" to President Yoon

In his acceptance speech as party leader, Lee proposed a summit meeting to President Yoon Seok-yeol. He said, "The previous summit meeting fell short of the people's expectations and was regrettable. Since we agreed at the last meeting to meet again anytime to communicate and discuss state affairs, I will wait for the president's response."

He also proposed a 'representative meeting' to Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party. He said, "Above all, frank discussions are necessary regarding the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act (Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for the Investigation of Obstruction and Cover-up of the Truth about the Death of a Marine in the Line of Duty)."

"Since Han proposed a third-party recommendation plan, I hope for open dialogue to see if there is a better plan for substantive investigation based on the introduction of a special prosecutor," he added. He also emphasized, "Let's discuss ways to alleviate the ruinous regionalism," and "I hope to first discuss the revival of district party offices, which has no opposition between the ruling and opposition parties."

After the national party members' meeting, Lee met with reporters and mentioned specific details about the summit and representative meetings. When asked what agenda he wanted to discuss at the summit meeting, he said, "I do not particularly limit the agenda and think we can discuss any issues that the people are interested in," adding, "If the presidential office wants to limit it, I am willing to meet and talk even with a limited agenda." He also said, "Regardless of the method or agenda, opinion coordination is essential to overcome the current crisis in South Korea."

Regarding discussing the third-party recommendation plan for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act with Han, he explained, "I still think that if it concerns government corruption, it is right for the opposition party to recommend, as per existing practice," but added, "However, due to the limitations of the National Assembly structure, I suggest including that part (the third-party recommendation plan)." He added, "It would be good to insist on my own way, but I cannot ignore the practical issues."

Lee Jae-myung, the elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering his acceptance speech at the '2024 Democratic Party of Korea 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention' held on the 18th at KSPO Dome, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Burden of criticism over 'Lee Jae-myung one-pole system'... Task of 'centrist expansion'

Immediately, the 'Lee Jae-myung 2nd term' system faces the task of resolving criticism over the one-pole system. The overwhelming support rate of 85.4% confirms the controversy over 'party privatization.' Some feared that party privatization could lead to rigid discussions on major party issues, as all decisions might be concluded by the will of party leader Lee Jae-myung. In fact, early in the primary, candidate Kim Min-seok recorded a low vote share but secured the senior supreme council member position on the day with Lee's public endorsement.

Centrist expansion is also a challenge. Lee proposed temporarily postponing the introduction of the financial investment income tax while preparing for the party convention. Regarding the comprehensive real estate tax, he suggested easing it only for those with one primary residence. These are all strategic moves to target the centrist voters. Opinions on this issue are divided even within the Democratic Party. Lee must resolve the controversy over the financial investment income tax scheduled for introduction next year.

After the party convention, Lee told reporters, "Differences of opinion on policy issues within the party are evidence of a healthy party," adding, "In early discussions, there may be positions such as postponement, abolition, or enforcement, but we must create the best plan considering the current situation and the expected future reality," avoiding a definitive answer.

On the afternoon of the 18th, at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, newly elected party leader Lee Jae-myung and the new Supreme Council members of the Democratic Party of Korea are greeting and congratulating each other at the party's 1st regular nationwide party members' convention. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Strong pro-Lee Supreme Council members largely elected... Jeong Bong-ju eliminated amid 'Myungpal-i' controversy

On the day, Kim Min-seok, Jeon Hyun-hee, Han Jun-ho, Kim Byung-joo, and Lee Eon-ju were finally elected as Democratic Party Supreme Council members (in order of vote share). With strong pro-Lee figures joining the new leadership in large numbers, it is expected that the intensity of the party's offensive against the opposition will naturally increase around them.

Kim Min-seok, who received full support from Lee Jae-myung, took the senior supreme council member position. He ranked first with a final combined vote share of 18.23%, receiving 19.03% in the national public opinion poll, 18.59% in the party members' vote, and 15.05% in the delegates' vote. Kim, who served as the situation room chief during the 22nd general election and announced key policies, has emerged as a core figure of the Shinmyeong faction (New Lee Jae-myung faction).

Jeon Hyun-hee ranked second with a final combined vote share of 15.88%, Han Jun-ho third with 14.14%, and Kim Byung-joo fourth with 13.08%. Lee Eon-ju, who fiercely competed for the last spot, secured 12.30% and was listed last among the Supreme Council members. Lee Eon-ju was proposed for reinstatement by Lee before this year's general election and successfully won a third term running for the Democratic Party in Yongin Jeong district, Gyeonggi Province. Inside and outside the party, she is expected to lead sharp criticism as a 'sniper against the Yoon government' during the 22nd National Assembly term.

Meanwhile, Jeong Bong-ju, who ranked first in the party members' vote early in the election, failed to capture votes at the last minute due to the recent 'Myungpal-i (Lee Jae-myung's puppet)' controversy, recording a final vote share of 11.7% and losing in sixth place. Candidates Min Hyung-bae (9.05%) and Kang Seon-woo (5.62%) also tasted defeat.

The party leader and Supreme Council members were decided by combining 56% party members' votes, 14% delegates' votes, and 30% general public opinion polls. Among 17,146 total delegates, 13,190 voted, recording a turnout rate of 75.73%. For party members' votes, among 1,222,104 total voters, 515,511 participated in the party leader vote and 517,180 in the Supreme Council vote, recording final turnout rates of 42.18% and 42.32%, respectively.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is greeting Jeong Cheong-rae and Go Min-jung, members of the Supreme Council, after delivering his policy speech at the Democratic Party of Korea's 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention held at KSPO Dome, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 18th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@