President Lee Jae-myung on the 19th addressed the escalating power struggle for the next leadership within the ruling camp, saying, "Don't fight like enemies." Aimed at the old mainstream of the democratic camp represented by the pro-Jung Chung-rae faction, he said they were creating fights based on unrealistic values instead of bread-and-butter issues, and he also urged them to fulfill their public duties. Ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea's national convention in Aug., this is the third time, following his first-anniversary press conference and an X (formerly Twitter) message, that the president has called for "the ruling party's role."
That afternoon at the Chunchugwan press center at the Blue House, the president personally announced the results of his 8-night, 10-day trip to Europe. It was his first European tour since taking office, during which he visited the European Union (EU) and Italy and the Holy See to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian, France. Since taking office, the president has attended various multilateral meetings and held talks with leaders, but this is the first time he has directly reported the trip's results to the public.
At the event, the president actively expressed his views on domestic issues, including the recent decline in approval ratings and conflict between the party and the presidential office. On the ruling party's defeats in the Seoul and Busan local elections and the sharp drop in support, he said, "This is the people's judgment that must be taken seriously," adding, "The biggest thing is, 'We're struggling to make ends meet, so what is the ruling party fighting about? What on earth does your infighting have to do with our lives and the public duties we entrusted to you?' I think that's it." He added, "It's enough to make the public angry," and said, "We must work to resolve this situation as quickly as possible."
In particular, he said, "The party must work to gain more public support by seeking what we have in common rather than what divides us," adding, "I really want to say one thing about competition and conflict within the Democratic Party. Do not fight like enemies." He continued, "Are we going to wage war against people within the same camp's fence rather than compete? Don't fabricate things that didn't happen to attack others. Some seem to think this is a kind of technique, but it's a bad act."
Introducing a conversation he had with President Donald Trump about the North Korean nuclear issue, he said, "My view is that politics must be based on reality. Idealistic, value-based, elegant and stylish claims are fine, but if circumstances change, what's the point of only making claims? There seem to be many cases in politics where people speak well but make the situation worse."
He did not name a specific target, but it appears he was pointing to the old mainstream's ideology-centered thinking, such as writer Yoo Si-min's "ABC theory," which divides ruling-camp supporters into three groups. In fact, the president said, "A political party should be more inclusive and open," adding, "If it has become the largest ruling party, it needs to be as inclusive and open as possible. We must work so more people can join together. That is the role of the government and the ruling party." He also said, "We must be accountable through action, practice, and results, not assertions."
◇"Supplementary investigation authority can be resolved if you don't approach it to gain political advantage"
He also said potential side effects must be considered regarding the ruling camp's core issue of "abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority." In particular, he said, "If you don't approach it thinking, 'I'll use this to pocket some political gains,' it can be sufficiently discussed and resolved." This was effectively a message to hard-liners in the ruling party. On the same day, Jung Chung-rae, the party leader, reiterated in a public meeting his position in favor of "complete abolition of supplementary investigation authority," clearly showing a difference in stance.
The president said, "It's right not to conduct supplementary investigations, but if you block even very exceptional cases where there is no room for abuse, problems will arise later," adding, "Under strictly minimal conditions, keep it to the bare minimum; if you're worried about abuse, make sure it can't be abused." He continued, "You shouldn't give up making soybean paste because you're afraid of maggots; you should find where maggots can arise and block it. If it truly seems impossible to block, it's not too late then to give up making the paste." While saying he was handing the choice to the National Assembly, he added, "Since authority has been given, the National Assembly will also bear responsibility."