The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Song Ji-hyo to make silver screen return in 'House of Meeting'

  • 3

    First S. Korea spy satellite successfully launched into orbit

  • 5

    5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views

  • 7

    Yoon accepts resignation offer of head of state broadcasting watchdog

  • 9

    Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism

  • 11

    INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

  • 13

    Late Ven. Jaseung's additional notes on last will found at his residence

  • 15

    Yoon's state visit to Netherlands to focus on semiconductor cooperation

  • 17

    Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair

  • 19

    Cabinet passes motion requesting parliamentary reconsideration of 'yellow envelope bill'

  • 2

    N. Korean leader calls for increased aerial combat posture amid tension over satellite launch

  • 4

    Seoul says FEOC guidance reduces uncertainty, will continue close consultation with US

  • 6

    Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party

  • 8

    Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?

  • 10

    Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid

  • 12

    Life expectancy of Koreans falls for first time in 52 years over COVID-19: data

  • 14

    Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews

  • 16

    DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions

  • 18

    Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery

  • 20

    US slaps additional sanctions against N. Korea in response to spy satellite launch

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, December 3, 2023 | 04:00
Politics
Opposition party in turmoil as leader could be arrested on Tuesday
Posted : 2023-09-22 16:28
Updated : 2023-09-24 16:00
Jung Min-ho
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link

Members of the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council enter a meeting room at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday, a day after some of its lawmakers joined the ruling party to pass a motion to allow the potential arrest of its leader, Lee Jae-myung. Yonhap

DPK floor leader offers to resign amid deepening factional divide
By Jung Min-ho

Few expected the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which holds a majority of seats at the National Assembly, to strip its chairman, Lee Jae-myung, of immunity from arrest. But on Thursday, the Assembly passed a motion to allow the potential arrest of Lee, who is embroiled in corruption scandals, after at least 29 DPK lawmakers voted against him.

The outcome has plunged the DPK into turmoil, with lawmakers of its dominant faction calling the unidentified dissenters “enemies within” and vowing to purge them.

With a court set to decide whether to arrest Lee on Tuesday, Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the party, offered to resign to take responsibility for failing to unite all DPK lawmakers.

At a DPK Supreme Council meeting, Friday, Rep. Jung Chung-rae lambasted those who voted against Lee for “selling out on their own leader.”

“They basely betrayed (the party) and pushed Lee into a den of vice by denying him after he was elected to the post with overwhelming support,” Jung said. “They would constantly try to shake his leadership, but we, Supreme Council members, will continue to stand by his side.”

The general elections, scheduled to be held early next year, is a factor that is deepening the rift within the DPK. With the party leader having profound influence over candidate nominations, lawmakers and other politicians who do not have an amicable relationship with Lee view him as a big hurdle to their election bids.

Speaking of the possibility of the DPK’s leadership change before the elections, Jung, a staunch loyalist of the chairman, said there is no such possibility.

46% of Koreans see arrest warrant against opposition leader as just: poll
46% of Koreans see arrest warrant against opposition leader as just: poll
2023-09-22 15:58  |  Politics

Jung Sung-ho, another lawmaker close to the chairman, said Lee should not step down from the post even if that means he serves the role behind bars.

“Whether he is arrested or not, Lee should assert his leadership by uniting the party,” Rep. Jung said on an MBC radio program on Thursday. “His resignation would put the party in chaos as he is backed by 70 to 80 percent of DPK supporters.”

A protester holds a sign reading "Arrest lawmakers who supported the motion" near the office of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in Seoul, Thursday, after some DPK lawmakers joined the ruling party to pass a motion to allow the potential arrest of the party leader, Lee Jae-myung. Yonhap

Their defiant position reflects the sentiment of the party’s radical members, who attempted to break into the Assembly building following the vote while waving signs saying “Arrest the lawmakers who supported the motion” or “R.I.P. Democratic Party of Korea.” The next day, a death threat was posted online by an unknown person, who targeted 14 DPK lawmakers who did not tow the party line. This case is now under police investigation.

Although at least 29 DPK lawmakers voted to strip Lee of immunity from potential arrest, no one has dared to openly mention the need for a leadership change ― presumably due to fears of being labeled as a turncoat by ardent party members.

Lee is accused of committing breach of trust worth 20 billion won ($15.06 million) by giving special treatment to a private developer in the Baekhyeon-dong district development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, between 2014 and 2015, when he was the city’s mayor.

He is also suspected of asking Ssangbangwool Group, an apparel maker, to illegally transfer $8 million to Pyongyang through his deputy to facilitate his visit there as Gyonggi governor between 2019 and 2020, in an alleged attempt to elevate his political profile. Lee has denied any wrongdoing.

There are several other criminal allegations facing Lee, who has been on a hunger strike to protest what he calls policy failures by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, including a lack of effort to stop Japan’s Fukushima wastewater release.

Faced with criticism for hiding behind his immunity from arrest as a lawmaker, Lee had previously said he was willing to give up the privilage because he was confident of his innocence. But on Wednesday, he changed his stance and called on DPK lawmakers to vote against the motion.

In a statement on Friday, Lee urged all party members and the public to be united in a fight against the Yoon administration, saying he would try his best to improve the party through reforms ― a message suggesting that he would not resign.

Judge Yoo Chang-hoon is expected to review the arrest warrant for Lee at the Seoul Central District Court. A decision is expected be made late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

But the court hearing could be postponed due to Lee's deteriorating health. The DPK chief has been hospitalized since Monday.

Emailmj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
15 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views 5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views
2Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition partyTension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party
3Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road? Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?
4Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism
5Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid
6Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews
7DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions
8Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair
9Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery
102023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity 2023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup
2ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene
3[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theaterINTERVIEWASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater
4'Our Season' director, veteran actor discuss creating relatable mother-daughter story 'Our Season' director, veteran actor discuss creating relatable mother-daughter story
5December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group