Democratic Party National Convention, Aftermath of 'Kim Yong's Defeat'...Lee Jae-myung's Leadership Crisis Spreads

During the Democratic Party's national convention, Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee was seen not holding hands with other elected officials immediately after her victory. This was a different attitude from the usual performance of elected officials, and it was pointed out that internal party conflicts were visually revealed. In particular, it was interpreted as blatantly revealing an uncomfortable relationship with Supreme Council member Jeong Cheong-rae.

Supreme Council member Jeong Cheong-rae, after stepping down from leadership, declared that he would 'say everything he wants to say,' signaling an increase in the intensity of his future remarks. Chairman Choi Min-hee also expressed her intention to work with Jeong Cheong-rae, and it was predicted that their relationship would have a significant impact on the future power dynamics within the party. The host reported, "And she said she would be with Jeong Cheong-rae till the end. She will be with Jeong Cheong-rae till the end. And Jeong Cheong-rae went a step further. Now he will say everything he wants to say."

Representative Choi Min-hee is known for maintaining a firm and critical attitude in interviews and phone calls with reporters. It has been pointed out that this communication style has created an uncomfortable atmosphere among reporters and is regarded as rude. The host mentioned, "She was teaching reporters very much at the National Assembly," describing Representative Choi's attitude towards the media.

Within the Democratic Party, criticism has been raised regarding the closed decision-making structure and so-called 'collusion-like' practices. However, Kwon Ye-young expressed the view that the party would move towards reconciliation, conscious of the possibility of a lame duck. He said, "Because the Democratic Party itself will be closely watching the lame duck possibility, I think it will move towards reconciliation." As the limitations of the Lee Jae-myung leadership became apparent, the possibility that the anti-Lee Jae-myung camp might seek an opportunity was also discussed.

Son Soo-jo predicted that the superficial unity of the Democratic Party would be merely an act, and that power struggles would intensify within the next 6-8 months. He stated, "The unity will literally be an act. And I think it will last for 6 months. At most, about 8 months," predicting a fierce battle between the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction and the non-Lee Jae-myung faction within the leadership ahead of the nomination process. In the midst of these conflicts, moves to shift responsibility to Representative Kim Min-seok were also analyzed.

Son Soo-jo revealed that three pro-Cheonggye lawmakers are already included in the Kim Min-seok leadership. He said, "I think three pro-Cheonggye members are already in this Kim Min-seok leadership," and analyzed that a strategy of forming a 4-on-4 structure in the decision-making process and then holding Representative Kim Min-seok accountable could be used.

Due to the decline in Chairman Lee Jae-myung's approval ratings, pressure to revise prosecutorial investigative powers is growing within the Democratic Party. The panelists mentioned, "As you can see, everywhere is weakening; even with the prosecutorial investigation power, Kim Min-seok will try to revise it a bit. Because Chairman Lee Jae-myung's approval rating is falling rapidly, they have to stop it." Hardliners like Choi Min-hee are showing a firm stance against the revision, predicting that it will be a test for Kim Min-seok's leadership due to internal party division.

Kim Yong's defeat was interpreted as a symbol of the collapse of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction's leadership. The panelists said, "Actually, it ended when Kim Yong could not be elected. Yes. There is no pro-Lee Jae-myung now. And look at that photo inside the leadership, Choi Min-hee is a party leader there. Kim Min-seok is at the center, but can you see Kim Min-seok, everyone? Choi Min-hee is the first one you notice," pointing out Choi Min-hee's prominence within the party leadership and the weakening of Kim Min-seok's leadership. There was also a view that Jeong Cheong-rae's live broadcast opposing secession was an act of flaunting his nomination power.

An analysis indicated that public sentiment in Seoul is negative towards the Democratic Party, regardless of the poll. The panelists stated, "To that extent, everyone, to that extent, public sentiment in Seoul, no matter what poll you look at, it's not for nothing that people say the Democratic Party absolutely cannot win if an election is held in Seoul, not just the next general election or local elections, but already public sentiment has worsened to that extent." It was pointed out that the crisis of the Democratic Party's leadership has deepened to the extent that there are jokes about Representative Kim Min-seok wanting to keep Mayor Oh Se-hoon in his position.

It was claimed that Chairman Lee Jae-myung told former President Donald Trump 'No thanks,' infuriating Trump. The panelists pointed out, "President Trump revealed that Lee Jae-myung said 'No thanks.' And President Trump was enraged by that. So, in fact, 'No thanks.' Yes, the reaction is coming out now. They say it's rude. He used an expression that should not be used in diplomacy," emphasizing that this remark could be seen as diplomatic discourtesy. The dismissal of Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and its connection to the reduction of ROK-US joint exercises were also mentioned. Criticism was also raised regarding diplomatic strategies that gamble with the lives of the people.

Kwon Ye-young criticized the government's diplomatic strategy of gambling with the lives of the people as deplorable, and said that as a citizen, he felt threatened. He stated, "But in that regard, this government's diplomatic strategy of gambling with the lives of the people is so deplorable, and as a citizen, I feel threatened," emphasizing the importance of maintaining friendly diplomatic relations.

Kwon Ye-young expressed concern that ROK-US joint exercises are being reduced, and that they might even have to conduct separate exercises. He said, "Right now, the ROK-US joint exercises have been reduced. But the exercises themselves are now going to be held separately. They are not joint exercises, and in fact, already the U.S. has blocked satellite reconnaissance military intelligence and such," mentioning the case where the U.S. blocked satellite reconnaissance military intelligence. He also mentioned the negative impact of discussions about the return of wartime operational control on the alliance.

Son Soo-jo pointed out that former President Trump is not only talking about security but also linking it to economic trade, pressing for the implementation of a $350 billion investment in the U.S. He said, "In the U.S., Trump continues to not just talk about security but links it to economic trade. The $350 billion investment that was promised. Why are you silent?" criticizing Korea's passive attitude. This was compared to Japan's $550 billion investment plan, raising concerns about the impact of Trump's negotiation style, which links security and economic trade, on Korea.

Questions were raised by the U.S. side regarding SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics' plan to invest 800 trillion won in semiconductors in Honam. Kwon Ye-young mentioned, "This 800 trillion won to build semiconductors in Honam, SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics are investing 800 trillion won in Honam, aren't they? U.S. investment is not progressing, and people are talking about this 800 trillion won investment domestically," criticizing that increasing domestic investment while U.S. investment is not progressing is a policy for the national convention.

The previous assessment of Chairman Lee Jae-myung's diplomatic strategy as 'diplomatic genius' was critically re-evaluated. Son Soo-jo said, "There were fans who called Lee Jae-myung a diplomatic genius. Does a diplomatic genius bring such results?" expressing disappointment with the diplomatic outcomes. This, combined with the aforementioned 'No thanks' remark and the controversy over U.S. investment, led to a negative evaluation of Chairman Lee Jae-myung's diplomatic leadership.

Kwon Ye-young expressed the perception that the current government's situation is an 'era of national crisis,' comparing it to the Gojong era. He said, "When I see the current government, I think of Gojong. During the Japanese colonial period, the country did not fall to Japan all at once," criticizing the leadership that profited from the sacrifices of the people. He also reiterated concerns about the reduction of ROK-US joint exercises.

Son Soo-jo emphasized that only the People Power Party, the main opposition party of South Korea, can stop the monopolistic rule of the Lee Jae-myung government, and that they must unite around Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk. He said, "Only the People Power Party, the main opposition party of South Korea, can stop the monopolistic rule of the Lee Jae-myung government, and they must unite around Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk," criticizing internal factions within the People Power Party and mentioning criticism related to Representative Kim Sung-won.

Regarding reports of internal discord within the People Power Party, the panelist refuted that not all lawmakers in that meeting shared the same opinion. The panelist said, "Not all lawmakers in that meeting said that. So, Representative Lim Mi-ja, for example, issued a message today and said clearly that she opposes such things," citing Representative Lim Mi-ja's opposition as an example to criticize some lawmakers for instigating internal party conflict.