The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, embroiled in internal strife over Chairman Jung Chung-rae's future, clashed openly in its stronghold of South Jeolla, Gwangju. Jung warned against escalating the conflict, saying, "I hope the Democratic Party can become one with the tolerance to acknowledge our differences."
Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun, who leans pro-Lee, raised the issue of leadership accountability at a field Supreme Council meeting held Monday at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. "We did not win the June 3 local elections. We failed," he said. "Many lawmakers are leveling criticism, and we need to show that we take responsibility."
"As I was coming in, party members said we were a 'shameless leadership,'" Hwang said. "We need to show that we take responsibility." He then stressed, "I will not run (in the party leadership race). I will not seek re-election. I urge our leadership to take a responsible attitude." Though he did not name him directly, his remarks were interpreted as a call for Jung, who is mired in controversy over his future, to oppose running for re-election.
Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-koo took direct aim at Jung's controversial "political power is brief" remark, saying, "We must never forget that while the people and party members are eternal, party power is brief." Kang argued, "The June 3 local elections were a stern warning from the people to the Democratic Party. Voices of concern are coming from everywhere. We must not turn away from those voices."
Supreme Council members close to Jung pushed back. Moon Jung-bok, in an agitated voice, said, "An assessment is needed when an election ends, but the assessment must not become the language of division." She added, "Words and actions that appear to shake the party over election results and to set the party's direction ahead of the members' choice are by no means in keeping with the Democratic Party." She said, "Concern for the party should be expressed through vision, not words of division," adding, "Party unity comes first."
Targeting Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, a rival for party leadership, she criticized, "For the official representing the nation while the president is on an overseas trip, giving congratulatory speeches and taking photos at an elected officials' workshop for two days running is hardly urgent business." She also raised her voice, saying, "The Democratic Party is not a party of factions."
Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon backed Jung regarding suspicions within the party that the "one member, one vote" system is groundwork for Jung's re-election. "There are forces shaking the one member, one vote system after the local elections," he said. "To become a more democratic party, we must move toward a one member, one vote, party-member-sovereignty party."
As the mood grew heated, Jung said at the end of the meeting, "President Lee Jae-myung spoke of unity, saying, 'Are the small differences among us bigger than those with our opponents?'" He continued, "As President Lee said, I believe the Democratic Party is at a difficult stage." He added, "Being different and being wrong are different. We must not claim that what is different is wrong. I hope the Democratic Party can become one with the tolerance to acknowledge our differences."
