Main opposition seeks to patch up internal feud with 3 campaign heads

From left, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former Prime Ministers Lee Hae-chan and Kim Boo-kyum enter the party's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday, to attend a launching ceremony of the DPK's election camp. Yonhap

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is set to mend its factional squabbles over candidate nominations for the April 10 general elections as its campaign, launched on Tuesday, will be co-headed by the party's chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung and two senior party members.

The two standing co-chairs are former Prime Ministers Lee Hae-chan and Kim Boo-kyum, who were appointed Monday.

"For the people, the nation and the party, the DPK has collected all of its capabilities, including former Prime Ministers Lee and Kim," Lee said during the committee's first meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul.

"The upcoming general elections will be a critical showdown, passing judgment on the Yoon Suk Yeol administration for devastating the economy and undermining democracy. It will be a historic moment that will decide the fate of the country."

The co-chairmanship comes as the DPK has been losing public support due to infighting between factions close to Lee Jae-myung and ones who are not.

Those critical of Lee have objected to their exclusion from the party's candidate roster, and a number of party heavyweights have defected from the DPK to join new liberal parties created in protest of Lee's monopolization of power.

Then-Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Hae-chan, second from right, applauds with leaders of the DPK and its satellite party, the Citizen's Party of Korea, in front of a signboard showing the two parties' winners in the general elections at the National Assembly in Seoul, April 15, 2020. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun

Against this backdrop, former Prime Minister Kim's participation in the DPK's election camp is seen as an effort to heal the wounds of the internal feud, as Kim has been critical of Lee's excessive grip on party affairs.

"I hope there will be heartfelt conversations between those nominated as candidates and those who have not had the opportunity so that they can work together for a better future," Kim said during the meeting.

"In the past, our seniors joined forces during times of feuds, and I believe that has led the DPK here today. We should all be one team to collect the people's minds and energy."

Kim, a former four-term lawmaker widely described as a moderate politician, served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022 during the previous Moon Jae-in administration. He had initially announced his retirement from politics but released a statement last month that "the democratic principles and the objectivity of the DPK's candidate nomination process are being undermined."

Due to this, he was initially rumored to join forces with former DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon, who quit the party to create the Saemirae Party after clashing with Lee Jae-myung, but decided to remain within the fold.

Former Prime Minister Lee is also a respected senior party member in the DPK with an illustrious career. Formerly a seven-term lawmaker, he has been a central figure in Korean politics for over 30 years, serving key roles for the country's progressive bloc.

He served as prime minister from 2004 to 2006 for former President Roh Moo-hyun and spearheaded the DPK's resounding victory in the previous general elections, four years ago as co-chairman of the election campaign. He also announced his retirement from politics in 2020.

Given that the two former prime ministers are both distant from the DPK's current factions, their participation in the DPK's election camp is interpreted as the party's efforts to move past the wounds of internal feuds.

"The conflicts over candidate nominations are just processes that have all passed," former Prime Minister Lee said. "Fortunately, those who lost in recent primaries have shown their willingness to stay with the party, so there won't be any new divisions."

Former Prime Minister Kim also said that the party is now employing a "full-court press" strategy to win the elections, adding, "It is regrettable to question whether the previous strategy was right, as the nature of elections is that you cannot dwell on the past."

The ruling People Power Party's interim leader Han Dong-hoon, center, takes a selfie with a supporter during a canvassing event in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap

On the other side of the political aisle, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is seeking to have its interim leader Han Dong-hoon, spearhead the entire election campaign as the only standing election committee chairman. Instead, the party’s floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, former Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong and Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker, will assist Han as co-chairs.

“Since there are 254 constituencies, Han may have difficulties handling all of them, so we can appoint co-chairs to share the burden,” PPP Secretary-General Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok told reporters on Tuesday. “Though the expression of co-chairs may be confusing, the idea of having Han as the only comprehensive leader of the PPP’s election campaign has never changed.”