Editorial: Democratic Party must prioritize governance over election ambitions

Democratic Party lawmakers chant slogans on Jan. 8 at the Rotunda Hall steps of the National Assembly in Seoul, condemning the rejection of the re-vote on special investigation bills on insurrection allegations against President Yoon and charges involving first lady Kim Keon-hee. /News1

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, sharply criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol during a party meeting on Jan. 8, stating, “If the rule of law crumbles, the economy and people’s livelihoods will fall apart like a sandcastle.” His remarks were in response to Yoon’s refusal to comply with an arrest warrant. However, Lee himself has faced accusations of hypocrisy for invoking the rule of law, with critics highlighting his own controversial legal maneuvers. Lee has employed so-called “legal shield strategies” to protect himself from legal risks, leveraging the Democratic Party’s majority in the National Assembly. While advocating for an expedited impeachment trial, ostensibly to influence the presidential election timeline, Lee has sought to delay his own trial on charges of election law violations. These actions have drawn allegations of double standards.

The Democratic Party’s recent moves suggest a focus on securing an early presidential election. This was evident in the party’s decision to retract charges of rebellion against Yoon from the impeachment trial, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to accelerate the process. The abrupt withdrawal of such significant charges has left many citizens bewildered. Meanwhile, inflammatory rhetoric from Democratic lawmakers has further escalated tensions. The head of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, a Democratic Party representative, stated, “Yoon will face the death penalty in court over rebellion charges.” Another lawmaker with a prosecutorial background made similarly provocative remarks during a National Assembly session, urging the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to show unwavering determination, declaring, “If the Presidential Security Service staff come at you with guns, bare your chest and let them shoot,” and, “Demonstrate the resolve to walk out with a coffin on your shoulders.” On a YouTube program hosted by broadcaster and YouTuber Kim Ou-joon, another Democratic lawmaker suggested extreme measures, including the use of water cannons, armored vehicles, and helicopters, to confront resistance. Kim himself escalated the rhetoric, proposing tactics such as aiming snipers at targets, deploying capsicum spray, and “breaking through by any means necessary.” Such inflammatory remarks risk escalating tensions between state agencies, including the CIO and the Presidential Security Service, and have heightened perceptions that the Democratic Party is prioritizing the early presidential by-election to benefit Lee Jae-myung.

However, public opinion appears to be turning against these aggressive tactics. Recent polls indicate that support for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has risen for three consecutive weeks, recovering to pre-martial law levels, while backing for the Democratic Party has steadily declined. Some surveys show the gap between the two parties narrowing to within the margin of error. PPP representatives should keep in mind that this shift seems to stem less from genuine approval of President Yoon’s defiance of the arrest warrant or his martial law declaration and more from growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s polarizing strategies

If both the ruling and opposition parties continue to disregard the principles of the rule of law, the impeachment trial risks exacerbating national divisions. Neither side appears willing to fully accept the outcome, compounding the political crisis. While both parties share responsibility for resolving the current impasse, the Democratic Party, as the legislative majority, bears a greater burden. Restoring constitutional order must take precedence over its ambitions for the snap presidential election. There is still time for the party to prioritize governance and reconsider its election strategy.