The Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential primary has sparked intense rivalries, particularly between leading candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon. This competition has escalated beyond candidates to their respective camps and supporters, drawing concerns about potential fallout within the party.
Despite warnings from the party’s Election Committee and leadership, including Chairman Song Young-gil, the mutual criticisms have not abated. What was initially expected to be a contest of policies has devolved into personal attacks, touching on sensitive issues like regionalism and candidates’ pasts, raising concerns about the party's unity.
Recent Controversies Over Past Actions
On September 2, a debate over past instances of drunk driving further fueled the tension. Lee Nak-yeon’s camp criticized Lee Jae-myung, stating,
"A Lee Jae-myung campaign associate recently accused former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol of frequenting drinking parties. This remark has backfired, resurrecting Lee Jae-myung’s past drunk-driving record and tarnishing the Democratic Party’s primary process."
This was a response to Lee Jae-myung’s earlier critique of Yoon’s meetings with political figures, described as "beer meetings" and "soju parties," which Lee dismissed as "drinking gatherings."
However, within the Democratic Party, there are voices criticizing Lee Nak-yeon’s camp for escalating the issue. Many believe this kind of response indirectly aids Yoon Seok-yeol by redirecting criticism toward Lee Jae-myung instead of the opposing party.
Woo Won-sik Calls for Unity
Amid the growing discord, Woo Won-sik, Lee Jae-myung's campaign chairman, took to Facebook on September 2 to urge for a "unified Democratic Party victory" and to address public concerns over the internal disputes.
Woo stated, "The public is disheartened by excessive negativity, which ultimately erodes trust and undermines the party’s overall competitiveness. We must all recognize this."
He called for an immediate end to baseless negative campaigning and pledged,
"We will not engage in negativity, including regionalism or personal attacks. This applies equally to Lee Jae-myung’s camp. We will lead by example to ensure a primary process free of divisive rhetoric."
Woo's message emphasizes the importance of restoring decorum and focusing on constructive competition to prepare for the larger national contest ahead. By striving for internal harmony, the party seeks to regain public trust and present itself as a united front.
