Seo Young-kyo's Tears · Kim Seung-won's Influence-Peddling Allegations: Democratic Party Hearing Brawl

Some People Power Party lawmakers reportedly burst into incredulous laughter at the sight. It is observed that these tears will be used by Democratic Party supporters as material to attack and demonize People Power Party lawmakers. A similar scene unfolded during Assemblywoman Kang Sun-woo's hearing in the past.

Even within the Democratic Party, there is a prevailing sentiment emphasizing that Assemblyman Kim Seung-won's lobbying was unprecedented.

A lawyer-turned-assemblyman directly discussing stock price manipulation is pointed out as a very dangerous remark. This statement is criticized by legal experts as an issue with a very high possibility of criminal punishment.

It is believed that they sought an individual capable of taking extreme measures such as withdrawing or dismissing charges. In this context, it is interpreted that Assemblyman Kim Seung-won's sincerity and usability were highly valued.

Since actions like withdrawing charges could lead to punishment, other Democratic Party members are reportedly anxious about being nominated as Minister of Justice themselves. With many lawmakers, including Assemblywoman Seo Young-kyo, reluctant to step forward, there is an underlying desire for Assemblyman Kim Seung-won to hold out. This situation is likened to everyone passing the buck on 'belling the cat'.

Emotional supporters sometimes exhibit an unrealistic perception, believing Chairman Lee Jae-myung is smart, good at his job, and even more handsome than Cha Eun-woo.

Negative public opinion regarding Chairman Lee Jae-myung is expected to spread further after Chuseok, while positive opinions will shrink. By the latter half of 2026, his approval rating is highly likely to drop further in conjunction with a worsening economic situation. Consequently, Chairman Lee Jae-myung is diagnosed as moving beyond a 'figurehead president' to a 'complete lame duck president.' A sense of crisis is escalating, with even the ruling party internally mentioning the possibility of impeachment.

Notably, his approval rating in the Seoul area dropped to the 20% range, and it was below 50% in all regions except Honam. Support among women in their 20s plummeted by approximately 19.3 percentage points in less than a month, showing a severe defection.

In the Honam region, public sentiment turned as the perception spread that the promise of completing a semiconductor factory was merely for the party convention. This acted as one of the main causes for the decline in approval ratings. The anger among women in their 20s began with the insult implied by Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in's 'working mom' remark, which was seen by them as out of touch with reality. Furthermore, the weakening of the prosecution's supplementary investigation functions, as seen in cases like the Busan kick-and-kill incident, also critically affected the sharp decline in approval among women in their 20s due to safety anxieties. These complex factors collectively fueled the drop in Chairman Lee Jae-myung's approval rating.

Remarks by Assemblywomen Choo Mi-ae and Kim Min-seok regarding impeachment caused a significant stir within the Democratic Party. Their statements, comparing the current situation to the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, were interpreted as an attempt to rally hardline supporters and check Chairman Lee Jae-myung's leadership. The remarks included a warning that if Assemblyman Kim Seung-won were appointed, approval ratings would drop to 2%, and impeachment would become a reality.

This position contrasts with that of Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, who urged restraint in mentioning impeachment. Analysis suggests that the word 'impeachment' has a political framing effect, and there are movements within the Democratic Party to utilize it.

It is criticized that Chairman Lee Jae-myung's strategy of demonizing the prosecution to rally his supporters has instead broken the President's authority. Specific examples of lost national governance momentum were mentioned.

He is also criticized for using overseas trips as a means of physical isolation to escape domestic legal risks. It is pointed out that there is a lack of substantial activities for national interest, such as negotiations with the U.S. ambassador, during actual overseas trips. This leads to criticism that Chairman Lee Jae-myung is exploiting important elements of state affairs to escape his personal crisis.