New main opposition party chairman proposes meeting with President Yoon

來源: 開云體育app官方網站 時間: 2023-01-27 03:41:38

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung raises his arms after being elected to the position during the party's national convention at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Songpa District, Seoul, Sunday. Joint Press Corps

Ex-presidential candidate elected as new leader of DPK

By Nam Hyun-woo

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the presidential race against rival Yoon Suk-yeol in March, was elected, Sunday, as the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

The latest victory marks an extraordinary comeback for Lee to the party's mainstream from his defeat in the presidential election. The two-year chairmanship will assure Lee of his right to recommend candidates for the next general election in 2024. He is anticipated to enjoy uncontested power within the party, paving the way for the 57-year-old to make another presidential bid five years from now.

During the DPK's national convention at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, Lee secured a total of 77.77 percent of votes to outpace Rep. Park Yong-jin, who garnered 22.23 percent. The number of votes Lee received is the highest on record in the party's election for a leader.

Lee's victory had been widely expected, as he already secured 78.22 percent of votes in primaries held across the country throughout this month. The primaries accounted for 40 percent of the total votes, while Sunday's voting at the national convention accounted for 30 percent. Phone surveys of the general public and ordinary party members accounted for another 30 percent.

The former Gyeonggi Province governor vowed to stake his political career on regaining public support for his party, which had diminished due to a soft stance on North Korea and failed attempts to tame soaring apartment prices, among other policies.

"I will take this job with the mindset that society's calling on Lee Jae-myung will end if I fail this critical mission of laying the groundwork for the DPK to take the presidential office back," Lee said in his acceptance speech. "I will devote myself to rebuild a whole new DPK."

Lee will serve a two-year term, and will recommend the party's candidates for the next general election slated for April 10, 2024, which is one of the most coveted powers of the chairman. Lee's victory also signifies that lawmakers supporting him are now the DPK's mainstream faction.

During the speech, Lee proposed a meeting with the president, saying he will "assist the government and the ruling People Power Party if they take the right path for the public."

Lee appears to be following in the footsteps of former President Moon Jae-in. After losing in the 2012 presidential election, Moon became the main opposition party's chairman in 2015 and led its victory in the 2016 general election, which became a launch pad for his successful presidential election in 2017. In doing so, Moon overcame serious internal feuds, as the party had divided into the DPK and the People's Party.

Just like Moon, Lee's top priority also appears to be addressing the conflict between factions close to him and those who back Moon.

According to Lee's aides, the new chairman seeks to visit the former president, Monday, in what appears to be a gesture to seek unity within the party.

"While electing Lee as the chairman, there have been conflicts between pro-Moon and pro-Lee factions over Lee's responsibility for the unsuccessful presidential election," an official at the DPK said. "It seems that Lee considers the unity of the party as his top priority."

Relations between Lee and Moon have been strained due to their rivalry in the DPK's primaries to choose a presidential candidate in 2017. This developed into factional infighting after the presidential election, with the pro-Moon group complaining that the party's recent revision of its charter was aimed at protecting Lee from possible legal accusations. He has faced an ongoing investigation into corruption allegations surrounding himself and his family.

"Today, we decided to pursue the value of unity and solidarity under the single goal of establishing a DPK government," Lee said. "And history will remember today as the day that we start the victorious march."

During the national convention, the DPK also elected five new supreme council members _ Reps. Jung Chung-rae, Ko Min-jung, Park Chan-dae, Jang Kyung-tae and Seo Young-kyo. Except for Ko, a former spokesperson for Moon, the four are considered to be part of the pro-Lee faction.