Tensions Rise Within Democratic Party Over "Responsibility of the Ruling Party" Remarks

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a tour of Europe, posted a social media message over the weekend emphasizing the "responsibility of the ruling party." Since then, tensions have escalated between the pro-Lee faction and the pro-Jeong faction within the Democratic Party over how to interpret the statement. The atmosphere has become even more unsettled following the release of a public opinion poll today (June 15) showing that the approval rating for the People Power Party has surpassed that of the Democratic Party.

Reporter Ha Jeongyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's social media message about the "responsibility of the ruling party," there have been conflicting interpretations within the Democratic Party: the pro-Lee faction claims it was aimed at Representative Jeong Cheong-rae, while the pro-Jeong faction argues that the President's intentions are being distorted.

At the first Democratic Party leadership meeting held since the message was posted, pro-Lee Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu opened fire by citing the poll results released today.

[Kang Deuk-gu/Supreme Council Member, Democratic Party: We have allowed the People Power Party to reverse the lead outside the margin of error. We must all be nervous about facing these poll results.]

According to a survey conducted by Realmeter on 1,002 people nationwide on the 11th and 12th, the Democratic Party recorded an approval rating of 38%, while the People Power Party recorded 44.3%.

The gap in approval ratings is outside the margin of error, and by mentioning the "reversal in approval ratings" right in front of Representative Jeong, he has effectively raised the issue of accountability.

Supreme Council members from the pro-Jeong faction defended Representative Jeong.

[Lee Sung-yoon/Supreme Council Member, Democratic Party: Reforms such as prosecution reform, one-person-one-vote, and becoming a party of party member sovereignty must never stop or retreat.]

[Park Gyu-hwan/Supreme Council Member, Democratic Party: The party must focus on party affairs, and the cabinet must focus on the work of the cabinet.]

With the August 17 national convention approaching, the scene appeared to be a "proxy war." Representative Jeong did not mention President Lee's "responsibility of the ruling party" message at all, instead offering only praise.

[Jeong Cheong-rae/Representative, Democratic Party: President Lee Jae-myung is establishing himself as a world-class, global leader.]

Representative Kim Min-seok, who has officially announced his bid for the party leadership, appeared on a radio program today. When asked to evaluate Representative Jeong's performance as party leader, he avoided a direct answer, stating, "Since the results were not satisfactory and difficult to call a victory—to the point where everyone needs to reflect—I believe the evaluation will take place within that process of reflection."

(Reported by Oh Young-chun and Kim Yong-woo | Video by Park Seon-soo | Graphics by Han Heung-soo, Seo Seung-hyun, and Kim Ye-ji)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.