Minju Reintroduces 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' Immediately After Election
Strategy to Strengthen Opposition Offensive and Unite Broad Opposition
Jogu Innovation Party's Plan to Emerge as Regional Party Halted
The Democratic Party of Korea reaffirmed the leadership of Representative Lee Jae-myung by defending its stronghold in Honam during the by-elections. The party evaluated its retention of dominance in Honam amid fierce challenges from the Joguk Innovation Party and the Progressive Party as a significant achievement.
With the victory in the Yeonggwang-Gokseong by-elections, the Democratic Party succeeded in dispelling the 'Honam veto theory' that had been pointed out during the 'Lee Jae-myung 2nd term system.' Through the election results, the party quelled challenges from the anti-Lee faction both inside and outside the party, establishing a foundation for Representative Lee to maintain clear leadership within the party and prepare for the upcoming local elections.
Immediately after the by-elections, the Democratic Party moved to secure 'political leadership' by strengthening unity among the opposition parties. On the morning of the 17th, the party reintroduced the 'Kim Kun-hee Special Prosecutor Act,' which includes additional allegations of election manipulation during the presidential primary involving Myung Tae-gyun, identified as a key figure in nomination interference, and Mrs. Kim. This is the third time the Kim Kun-hee Special Prosecutor Act has been proposed after being discarded twice due to President Yoon's veto power. Representative Kim Yong-min stated, "We have specified 13 investigation targets, much stronger than the previous ones, and today we proposed the Kim Kun-hee Special Prosecutor Act." This move appears to be a strategy to pressure People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon by expanding the investigation to include nomination interference allegations and framing it as a 'state affairs manipulation' special investigation.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
At the same time, Representative Lee is emphasizing the recovery of the people's economy and focusing on highlighting the failures of the Yoon Seok-youl administration. On the same day, he visited Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, and met with local farmers, personally harvesting cabbage. He pointed out the Yoon administration's responsibility for the collapse of livelihoods due to the recent surge in agricultural and marine product prices. Earlier, on the 14th, at the party's Supreme Council meeting, Representative Lee raised his voice, saying, "While the domestic economy directly linked to people's livelihoods is dying, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy reportedly made the absurd claim that the economy is improving."
However, the Democratic Party regrets its defeat in Geumjeong, Busan, where conservative forces are strong. Some have pointed out that Representative Kim Young-bae's 'slip of the tongue' during the campaign period became a negative factor. Representative Kim referred to the by-election, held due to the death of the former Busan Geumjeong District Mayor from illness, as a 'waste of taxpayers' money,' which drew heavy criticism and led to his apology.
The Joguk Innovation Party received a below-expectation result. Although it challenged the Democratic Party and launched an all-out campaign in Honam during this election, it failed to secure any elected officials. In the three-way race for Yeonggwang County Mayor by-election, the Innovation Party came in third behind the Democratic and Progressive parties, and in the Gokseong County Mayor election, it only managed to secure second place.
The Innovation Party's plan to establish itself as a regional party through this election has also been hindered. Its strategy to prepare for the 2026 local elections based on support in Honam is expected to face setbacks. However, the Innovation Party evaluated its achievement of surpassing the 15% vote share threshold required for election expense reimbursement in the Honam region, where the Democratic Party was overwhelmingly dominant, as meaningful. Joguk Innovation Party leader Joguk said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Can one be satisfied with the first try? We humbly accept the results. The next challenge will be stronger."
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