[Jungkook Spotlight] Lee's Remarks on 'Prosecutor Collusion Theory'... Fierce Aftermath Within the Party

Recent Moves Toward Unity Among Anti-Lee Faction Damped
Anti-Lee Members: "Doubt Over Lee's Sincerity... Shocked"

Remarks by Representative Lee Jae-myung suggesting that some members of the Democratic Party colluded with the prosecution have reignited internal divisions within the party that had previously subsided.

The focus of attention is on the authenticity of Lee's statement two years ago during the parliamentary vote on the arrest motion against the Democratic Party leader, where he said it was "a scheme orchestrated by some within the party and the prosecution," and the background behind making such remarks at this time. While some view it as a politically calculated statement by Lee, it has drawn interest because it contrasts with his recent efforts toward party unification.

In fact, strong backlash continues, especially from the anti-Lee faction, and the aftershocks have not yet settled.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting supporters as he attends the continuation of the first trial related to the Daejang-dong breach of trust and Seongnam FC bribery case at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on March 4, 2025. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The cancellation of a private meeting arranged during Lee's visit to Busan on the 6th with Father Song Gi-in also sparked rumors. Father Song is known as a mentor to former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, and during the last presidential primary, he served as a co-chairman of the joint support committee for candidate Lee Nak-yeon. A Democratic Party official explained the cancellation, which occurred just 1 hour and 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting, saying, "Father Song, who is in his 90s, has been suffering from a chronic respiratory illness for over a year. We were concerned that a sudden influx of reporters could negatively affect his health, so the schedule was canceled."

However, some in political circles interpret the cancellation as a fallout from the claim of 'collusion between some party members and the prosecution.' Members of the anti-Lee faction expressed their displeasure regarding Lee's remarks, describing it as "smiling in front but stabbing in the back" and feeling as if "a carefully built tower has crumbled."

The incident involving some Democratic Party lawmakers who participated in the approval of the arrest motion became a turning point that dealt a severe blow to the anti-Lee faction in the last general election. Politicians from the anti-Lee camp were sidelined in the candidate selection process, and the resentment still lingers.

Even Representative Park Ji-won, who has generally defended Lee, remarked, "Was it really necessary for him to make such comments while pursuing unification?" This reflects the sensitive atmosphere within the party.

While the pro-Lee faction is rallying to defend the leader, the problem lies in the fact that the allegation of collusion with the prosecution itself has become a spark for internal division.

Lee plans to meet with pro-Roh Moo-hyun figures such as former lawmakers Lee Kwang-jae and Kim Du-kwan from this weekend through next week, and it remains to be seen whether the uneasy sentiment within the anti-Lee faction will subside.