Thorough self-remorse and innovation essential for DPK
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is faced with strong turbulence following its devastating defeat in the June 1 local elections. Rep. Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-jyun, co-heads, and six other members of the party's emergency committee resigned en masse, Thursday, taking responsibility for the humiliating defeat in the elections.
The party is poised to discuss diverse pending issues soon, such as how to tackle the damage in the wake of the election setback and to form a new leadership who will be in charge of party affairs in the post-election era. Yet skepticism is rising that the party will face growing obstacles in the process due to brewing conflicts among different factions regarding the responsibility for the election outcome.
The recent election loss has dealt a major blow to the DPK as it came following its previous defeat in the March 9 presidential election and last year's April 7 by-elections for the mayoral posts of Seoul and Busan. The DPK won only a dismal five out of 17 major races for metropolitan city mayors and provincial governors, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) snatched 12.
In many senses, the DPK's defeat has been anticipated. It has failed to conduct strict self-remorse and efforts towards renovation despite its loss in the presidential election. Citing a slight margin of 0.73 percentage points in the presidential race, the DPK consoled itself by saying, "We fared well though we lost." It appeared to believe it could take power again if it had won the local elections.
The party allowed its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung to run in the parliamentary by-election held on the sidelines of the local polls and its former leader Song Young-gil to run for the Seoul mayoral election. Such decisions prompted criticism from many people, further fanning anti-DPK sentiment. Both Lee and Song should have refrained from running in the elections, taking time for thorough self-reflection, as they are most responsible for the outcome of the presidential race.
The DPK also came under a barrage of salvos during the campaign period for ramming through a bill designed to completely strip the prosecution of its right to investigate certain crimes. Such bids invited criticism which alleged a kind of parliamentary dictatorship, with the party renouncing the values of dialogue and consensus. As a result, the party suffered an overwhelming defeat compared to the 2018 local elections where it won in 14 major cities and provinces.
While quitting her post as co-chair of the DPK's interim committee, Park said, "It appears the DPK is still arrogant despite its defeat in the presidential election. I think the party should completely change the people and system (to survive)." Former DPK leader Lee Nak-yon said the unprecedented low turnout rate in Gwangju, a traditional stronghold for the liberal party, should be interpreted as a "political impeachment" against the DPK. The party should attentively listen to such admonishments this time for a thorough self-reflection and harsh innovation.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is faced with strong turbulence following its devastating defeat in the June 1 local elections. Rep. Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-jyun, co-heads, and six other members of the party's emergency committee resigned en masse, Thursday, taking responsibility for the humiliating defeat in the elections.
The party is poised to discuss diverse pending issues soon, such as how to tackle the damage in the wake of the election setback and to form a new leadership who will be in charge of party affairs in the post-election era. Yet skepticism is rising that the party will face growing obstacles in the process due to brewing conflicts among different factions regarding the responsibility for the election outcome.
The recent election loss has dealt a major blow to the DPK as it came following its previous defeat in the March 9 presidential election and last year's April 7 by-elections for the mayoral posts of Seoul and Busan. The DPK won only a dismal five out of 17 major races for metropolitan city mayors and provincial governors, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) snatched 12.
In many senses, the DPK's defeat has been anticipated. It has failed to conduct strict self-remorse and efforts towards renovation despite its loss in the presidential election. Citing a slight margin of 0.73 percentage points in the presidential race, the DPK consoled itself by saying, "We fared well though we lost." It appeared to believe it could take power again if it had won the local elections.
The party allowed its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung to run in the parliamentary by-election held on the sidelines of the local polls and its former leader Song Young-gil to run for the Seoul mayoral election. Such decisions prompted criticism from many people, further fanning anti-DPK sentiment. Both Lee and Song should have refrained from running in the elections, taking time for thorough self-reflection, as they are most responsible for the outcome of the presidential race.
The DPK also came under a barrage of salvos during the campaign period for ramming through a bill designed to completely strip the prosecution of its right to investigate certain crimes. Such bids invited criticism which alleged a kind of parliamentary dictatorship, with the party renouncing the values of dialogue and consensus. As a result, the party suffered an overwhelming defeat compared to the 2018 local elections where it won in 14 major cities and provinces.
While quitting her post as co-chair of the DPK's interim committee, Park said, "It appears the DPK is still arrogant despite its defeat in the presidential election. I think the party should completely change the people and system (to survive)." Former DPK leader Lee Nak-yon said the unprecedented low turnout rate in Gwangju, a traditional stronghold for the liberal party, should be interpreted as a "political impeachment" against the DPK. The party should attentively listen to such admonishments this time for a thorough self-reflection and harsh innovation.
