Lee Steps Down at Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting on the 9th
Lee Jaemyung: "Grateful for Achievements as Party Leader Over Three Years"
Separate Presidential Bid Announcement Planned... To Be Held by Next Week at the Latest
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, took the first step toward an early presidential election bid by announcing his resignation as party leader. On the 9th, Lee said, "I am grateful to have been able to serve as party leader for three years with some achievements."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving the National Assembly on the 9th after resigning from his position as party leader to run in the 21st presidential election. 2025.4.9 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
At the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido that day, Lee said, "I will now start a new chapter," adding, "I believe that the difficulties we are facing can be overcome quickly by the people, who have the DNA to overcome adversity as they have in the past, and I will stand with them." Following Lee's announcement of his resignation, the adjournment declaration was made by Park Chan-dae, the floor leader acting as party leader.
Lee hinted that he would actively engage in efforts to address people's livelihoods. He said, "From the perspective of public officials, what may seem like minor complaints or small matters are often life-or-death issues for the individuals involved," adding, "When broken down, what may appear trivial can be so serious to those people that it is worth risking their lives." He continued, "The Republic of Korea community is made up of each and every citizen," and "Their lives and human rights carry the weight of the universe, so even small matters are precious and important."
He also made remarks attributing the responsibility for the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl to the people. Lee said, "Although we faced a crisis last year due to the emergency martial law situation, thanks to the great power of the people, we are returning to a democratic republic where the people are the owners," adding, "All thanks to the dedication and sacrifice of the people." He praised the party as well, saying, "Although the work has been very busy, the party is fulfilling its role excellently," and "It seems the party members have become the true center of the Democratic Party."
Lee plans to hold a presidential election campaign announcement as early as the 10th, or by next week at the latest, following his resignation. His campaign is expected to include figures without strong factional ties. It has been reported that Representative Yoon Ho-jung will be appointed as the election committee chairman, and Representative Kang Hoon-sik as the general headquarters chief, with Han Byung-do and Representative Park Soo-hyun, both former Blue House officials under the Moon Jae-in administration, also expected to join.
The party’s pledge organization is also actively moving. The pledge development think tank "Growth and Integration," involving former Korea Development Institute (KDI) International Policy School Dean Yoo Jong-il and Chonnam National University Professor Heo Min, is set to launch on the 16th. In addition, the party’s Policy Committee, Democratic Research Institute, Ruling Plan Headquarters, and Livelihood Economy Council have been refining the Democratic Party’s pledges ahead of the early presidential election.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting the Supreme Council members after resigning from his position as party leader at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on April 9, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
In this presidential election, Lee is expected to sharpen his criticism of the Yoon Seok-youl administration and the People Power Party candidate with the keywords of ending internal strife and economic recovery. On the same day, he criticized Han Duck-soo, acting president and prime minister, for appointing two new constitutional court justices, saying, "If you look at the administrative law textbook’s section on cancellation and invalidity of administrative acts, invalid acts are invalid without any special measures." He has also emphasized the expulsion of former President Yoon from the People Power Party.
Before the early presidential election was confirmed, Lee expanded his outreach by meeting with economic figures such as Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, representatives of shipbuilding and defense industry companies, and export companies. Regarding the rising 'constitutional amendment theory,' he is expected to maintain his stance that ending internal strife takes priority and proceed at his own pace.
Non-Lee Jae-myung faction (anti-Lee) figures within the Democratic Party are also announcing their candidacies one after another. Former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan declared his candidacy on the 7th, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is scheduled to announce his presidential bid on the same day, and former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo is reportedly reviewing his schedule. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has decided not to participate in the Democratic Party’s presidential primary and is expected to release a statement via Facebook and other channels later that afternoon.
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