Ruling Party's Election Evaluation Committee Seen as 'Source of Conflict'... White Paper Release Likely Delayed Until After Party Convention

Perceptions of the Election Results Sharply Differ
Pro-Lee Jaemyung Lawmaker Mo Kyungjong Excluded from Evaluation Committee

As the Democratic Party of Korea's Evaluation Committee for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections officially begins its review work, it is expected that the publication of the white paper will take place after the party convention in August. This is seen as an attempt to release the evaluation results after the convention, which is expected to be the climax of the party leadership contest.

Lee Jaeyoung, Director of the Democratic Research Institute and co-chair of the Evaluation Committee, told The Asia Business Daily on June 16, "There is no need to rush the Evaluation Committee's activities," adding, "We plan to prepare in an objective and transparent manner so that it can be of great help for the next election." He also noted, "It is highly likely that the white paper will be released after the party convention."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Hwang Kwangmo - On June 11, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, delivered a congratulatory speech at a debate commemorating the first anniversary of Lee Jae-myung's government inauguration, hosted by the Democratic Party's Research Institute and Policy Committee, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. 2026.6.11 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr (End)

Previously, while the Democratic Party leadership assessed the local election results as a victory, President Lee Jaemyung publicly responded with a different tone, calling it a "warning from the people." Cho Seungrye, Secretary-General, said that the Evaluation Committee should investigate how issues such as the "fabricated indictment," the "Starbucks boycott," and the "rumor of Kim Minseok running for party leadership as Prime Minister" affected the election. Due to these differing perceptions of the election results, there are concerns that the activities of the Evaluation Committee could become a new source of internal conflict.

There has also been dissatisfaction among non-mainstream party members regarding the composition of the Evaluation Committee. It has been claimed that the committee is mainly composed of figures close to Jeong Cheongrae. Both Director Lee and Assemblywoman Lee Yeonhee (Head of the Strategy and Planning Committee) are associated with Jeong Cheongrae's leadership, and external co-chair Hong Changmin, former Chair of the Seoul City Party Candidate Committee, is also known to have worked with Assemblyman Jang Kyungtae, a close ally of Jeong Cheongrae, when he served as Seoul City Party Chair. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Mo Kyungjong (National Youth Chair), who is considered to be part of the pro-Lee Jaemyung faction, was excluded from the Evaluation Committee due to his involvement with the Incheon mayoral transition team.

Meanwhile, ahead of the party convention, debates are expected to take place over the right to request supplementary investigations and the "one member, one vote" system. Although the abolition of the "one member, one vote" system and the right to request supplementary investigations are key pledges of Jeong Cheongrae, some pro-Lee Jaemyung lawmakers argue that revisions are necessary.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.