Trial Suspension Act 'Communication Breakdown' Raises Fears of Lee-Jeong Rift... Ruling Party Moves to Quell Discord

"Do Not Drag the President Into Political Strife," Says Kang Hoonshik
Ruling Bloc: "Not a Warning, But the Presidential Office's Position"
Concerns Within the Ruling Bloc: "Communication Breakdown Must Not Be Repeated"

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea has not only withdrawn the so-called "President Lee Jae-myung Trial Suspension Act" (the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act) just one day after pushing for it, but has also moved to quell rumors of discord between President Lee and party leader Jeong Cheongrae. This comes as the party faces criticism from within the ruling bloc for fueling controversies that could burden President Lee, at a time when follow-up work is needed on the outcomes of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and the Korea-U.S. customs negotiations, as well as preparations for the upcoming local elections. Nevertheless, as the local elections approach next year, repeated incidents that could be perceived as signs of conflict between President Lee and Jeong Cheongrae are raising concerns about a lack of communication.

Moon Jinseok, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, said on KBS Radio on the 4th, in response to a question about whether the presidential office's statement was a warning to party leader Jeong, "Rather than a warning, it was meant to ask not to draw the president into political strife." Lee Yongwoo, another deputy floor leader, also explained on BBS Radio's "Geum Taeseop's Morning Journal" that "it should be understood not as a warning to the party leadership, but as a clear expression of the presidential office's position on the current situation."

Park Suhyeon, Chief Spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said at a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 2nd, regarding the People Power Party's demand for the resumption of President Lee's trial, "It is now time to focus on public discussion of judicial reform, and debate over the so-called 'trial suspension law' has become an unavoidable practical issue." However, the next day, he retracted this, saying, "While there may be various opinions within the party, I do not believe there is a need for a separate process to gather them. This is a matter that has already been coordinated with the presidential office."

The presidential office, with spokesperson Kang Yoojeong and Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik both holding briefings the previous day, criticized the push for the trial suspension law as an independent decision by the Democratic Party, not reflecting President Lee's intentions. In particular, Chief of Staff Kang stated, "We have requested that the trial suspension law be excluded from the party's judicial reform agenda," and urged, "Please do not place the president at the center of political strife. This is also the president's position."

President Lee Jae-myung, who visited the National Assembly for the policy speech, is shaking hands with Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, during a meeting held at the Speaker's Reception Room on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Democratic Party had introduced the bill in May, just before the presidential election, after the Supreme Court remanded President Lee's violation of the Public Official Election Act case for retrial with a guilty verdict. The bill passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly. It was scheduled to be handled at the plenary session on June 12, right after the presidential election, but its passage was postponed just before the session convened. At that time, President Lee is said to have conveyed his concerns about the trial suspension law to the party leadership through Chief of Staff Kang. Spokesperson Kang also reiterated the previous day that "the consistent position has been that the trial suspension law is unnecessary."

Within the party, some have criticized the lack of communication with the presidential office regarding the trial suspension law. Park Honggeun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, stated on social media, "The somewhat hasty and inconsistent response within the Democratic Party was not sophisticated," and emphasized, "As the ruling party, which bears unlimited responsibility for state affairs, we must not repeat this lack of communication with the presidential office."

With the local elections approaching next year, concerns continue to grow within the party as situations that could be perceived as conflict between President Lee and Jeong Cheongrae recur at critical moments. Disagreements between the party and the government have already surfaced over the major shareholder criteria for the capital gains tax on stocks and follow-up measures for prosecutorial reform, and a pro-Lee figure was cut off from the Busan City Party chairperson election. Such developments could be interpreted as discord between President Lee and party leader Jeong. A member of the ruling bloc commented, "It is natural in a democratic society for individuals to express their own opinions and views," but also pointed out, "However, it is not desirable for the public to frequently witness differences of opinion between the ruling party and the presidential office due to a lack of communication."