Kim Min-seok Elected Democratic Party Leader, Pro-Lee Jae-myung Supreme Council System Established

Representative Kim Min-seok was elected as the party leader at the Democratic Party's national convention. Along with this, pro-Lee Jae-myung figures such as Choi Min-hee, Han Min-soo, and Lee Seong-yoon were named supreme council members, establishing a pro-Lee Jae-myung supreme council system that strengthened Chairman Lee Jae-myung's influence within the party.

One panelist said, "Kim Min-seok became the party leader. And three pro-Lee Jae-myung figures – Choi Min-hee, Han Min-soo, and Lee Seong-yoon – became supreme council members."

This convention revealed deep divisions within the Democratic Party, as Chairman Kim Min-seok was elected after a fierce run-off vote. The fact that the vote went to a run-off, despite the supportive atmosphere for Chairman Lee Jae-myung, suggests complex power dynamics within the party.

One panelist said, "Kim Min-seok actually won in the run-off. Originally, in this kind of situation, Lee Jae-myung was a bit shaky. There was an atmosphere that he needed help. The fact that he won in the run-off even amidst that, and that Jeong Cheong-rae got well over 40% of the vote, just by looking at this, it's clear that it won't be easy for the Democratic Party to end its divisions."

Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee's remark, 'Let's protect Jeong Cheong-rae,' seems to express both the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction's move to consolidate and concerns about potential future retaliation. This is interpreted as an intention to protect individuals who have lost political standing within the left-wing camp and to strengthen the faction's leadership within the party.

One panelist said, "Let's protect Jeong Cheong-rae. What does that mean? Jeong Cheong-rae just lost in the party leader election. He is still a National Assembly member, in the parliament, a multi-term lawmaker, within the party, and has power. He was never expelled. What is there to protect? Well, Choi Min-hee spoke honestly. She spoke honestly that Lee Jae-myung will retaliate against Jeong Cheong-rae starting now."

Chairman Lee Jae-myung's 'pan-progressive expansion' strategy drew criticism as an attempt to recruit conservatives, provoking a backlash from the party's traditional leftist supporters. They feel a sense of crisis that Lee Jae-myung's actions are undermining the Democratic Party's identity, causing 'sakura' controversies, and ultimately leading to the party no longer being their Democratic Party.

One panelist said, "From the perspective of traditional left-wing forces, 'Oh, wait a minute, that's completely crossing the line, bringing in 'sakura' (turncoats). Pulling the rug out from under us. Aren't they trying to make it so that this is no longer our Democratic Party?' There were these kinds of suspicions, and they brought up that issue a lot at the party convention."

Representative Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized his top ranking in public opinion polls, regardless of the convention results, demonstrating his will to maintain his political stake. This is interpreted as a warning that even if Representative Kim Min-seok won with the power of organization, he would not be able to treat someone with such public support lightly. It was also suggested that an atmosphere of support for Representative Jeong Cheong-rae could be fostered through friendly media outlets such as Kim Eo-jun's broadcast.

One panelist said, "He emphasized, 'I am number one in public opinion polls.' What does that mean? Even if Kim Min-seok won with the power of organization, if Kim Min-seok attacks me, the public will not stand idly by. And that's actually the direction it will go. For example, Kim Eo-jun's broadcast and that Tteolle (nickname for a program) will create an atmosphere of helping Jeong Cheong-rae."

Rumors are circulating in political circles that China may have abandoned Chairman Lee Jae-myung and switched to Chairman Kim Min-seok. Along with this, claims have been made that Chairman Kim Min-seok's older brother, Pastor Kim Min-yong, is a key figure in Candlelight Action and a pro-North Korea sympathizer. This has led to the interpretation that Chairman Kim Min-seok's rise indicates the potential for traditional supporters to defect from Chairman Lee Jae-myung's base expansion strategy. Even within the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, a complex situation is unfolding where Chairman Kim Min-seok's election cannot be completely denied.

One panelist said, "There are rumors in political circles that China has abandoned Chairman Lee Jae-myung and switched to Chairman Kim Min-seok. Along with this, claims have been made that Chairman Kim Min-seok's older brother, Pastor Kim Min-yong, is a key figure in Candlelight Action and a pro-North Korea sympathizer. This has led to the interpretation that Chairman Kim Min-seok's rise indicates the potential for traditional supporters to defect from Chairman Lee Jae-myung's base expansion strategy. Even within the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, a complex situation is unfolding where Chairman Kim Min-seok's election cannot be completely denied."

Representative Choi Min-hee expressed conflict with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction at the party convention, clashing with Chairman So Byeong-hoon over the opportunity to speak. This is interpreted as an action revealing the serious division within the party. In particular, through remarks related to semiconductors, she directly targeted Chairman Lee Jae-myung's intervention in party affairs, and it was suggested that she might be trying to induce the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction to take responsibility by advocating for tax reform.

One panelist said, "Representative Choi Min-hee expressed conflict with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction at the party convention, clashing with Chairman So Byeong-hoon over the opportunity to speak. This is interpreted as an action revealing the serious division within the party. In particular, through remarks related to semiconductors, she directly targeted Chairman Lee Jae-myung's intervention in party affairs, and it was suggested that she might be trying to induce the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction to take responsibility by advocating for tax reform."

During the convention, when shaking hands with leadership figures, Representative Choi Min-hee kept her arms down and maintained a stern expression, showing an uncooperative attitude. This behavior is analyzed as evidence of serious internal division within the Democratic Party. Her series of remarks are interpreted as indirect attacks on Chairman Lee Jae-myung, demonstrating the deep rift of conflict within the party.

One panelist said, "Yesterday, when everyone was holding hands and raising them, only Choi Min-hee's face was completely stiff and she didn't raise her arm... Oh, their division must be really serious."

Former Vice Chairman Kim Yong's failure to be elected at the party convention is interpreted as a sign of Chairman Lee Jae-myung's lame-duck status. Former Vice Chairman Kim Yong ranked first in Day 1 voting but last in public opinion polls, revealing the limitations of polls despite the strong mobilization of supporters like 'Gaettal.' The defeat of a figure called Chairman Lee Jae-myung's alter ego dealt a blow to his leadership and is seen as a result of hidden anger within the party regarding the Daejang-dong allegations.

One panelist said, "We need to focus on Kim Yong's defeat. Kim Yong's defeat is really significant, everyone... This is a complete sign of lame duck for Lee Jae-myung."

Former Vice Chairman Kim Yong, considered a close confidant of Chairman Lee Jae-myung, ranked 6th out of 6 at the party convention, effectively placing last. While there was a background of his ranking dropping due to his withdrawal late in the primary, this low level of support is analyzed as reflecting the party's perception of Chairman Lee Jae-myung's leadership.

One panelist said, "The fact that they ignored their sore thumb, Kim Yong, means 'you're really finished, buddy.'"

Questions were raised about the process of former Vice Chairman Kim Yong's withdrawal right before the end of the party convention. The fact that he recorded low results despite some candidates pooling their votes is interpreted as a strategic failure. This outcome was cited as an example of the limitations of the party's strong supporters.

One panelist said, "Questions were raised about the process of former Vice Chairman Kim Yong's withdrawal right before the end of the party convention. The fact that he recorded low results despite some candidates pooling their votes is interpreted as a strategic failure. This outcome was cited as an example of the limitations of the party's strong supporters."

Former Vice Chairman Kim Yong is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling. Criticism has been raised that the ruling party is showing a contradictory attitude by bringing up issues like the recovery of pro-Japanese assets to divert public attention from the Daejang-dong allegations. It is pointed out that emphasizing other issues while thorough investigation and judicial processing of the Daejang-dong allegations are not taking place is contradictory.

One panelist said, "Kim Yong now has the Supreme Court ruling remaining. ... When the Daejang-dong issue comes up, it really gets on my nerves that they're making such a fuss about recovering illegal pro-Japanese assets."

The past case of anti-Japanese attacks backfiring during the Uri Party era was mentioned, and caution was expressed that the controversy over recovering pro-Japanese assets could have political intentions. In particular, concerns were raised about the possibility of attempting constitutional amendment under the pretext of recovering pro-Japanese assets, and it was argued that the public must keep a close eye on these movements.

One panelist said, "They should start with Moon Jae-in's private property. They're talking nonsense. So, indeed, regarding things like pro-Japanese property recovery, I also agree with some parts, but if they try to use that to amend the constitution and insert various things underneath, then this is something that the public really needs to watch with wide-open eyes."

The double standard of the unjust enrichment recovery logic was criticized, and the issue of fairness between the Daejang-dong case and the criteria for recovering pro-Japanese assets was pointed out. It was argued that it is difficult to understand the attitude of advocating for the recovery of unjust gains while remaining silent on enormous unjust gains like the Daejang-dong incident. A clear standard is needed for what problems should be addressed first.

One panelist said, "This recovery is because it's an unjust gain, right? So, they want to recover it. Why do those who love recovering unjust gains ignore Daejang-dong? It's not a small amount. Get a grip. Know what's more important."