“Heartbroken by not reclaiming Seoul,” responsibility debate begins for Chung Sye-kyun’s leadership

Despite reclaiming a majority of local government leadership positions in the June 3 elections, the Democratic Party is grappling with internal criticism following its failure to win back the Seoul mayoral seat. This loss has ignited discussions about leadership accountability and has seemingly marked the beginning of a contest for the party's leadership.

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I am greatly disappointed by the party's election strategy, which failed to effectively leverage President Lee Jae-myung's high approval ratings.

Calls for accountability are mounting, particularly directed at the current leadership. Song Young-gil, a former party leader who secured a parliamentary seat in a by-election, expressed disappointment with the party's election strategy, stating, "I am greatly disappointed by the party's election strategy, which failed to effectively leverage President Lee Jae-myung's high approval ratings." He added that the current leader, Chung Sye-kyun, would face a comprehensive evaluation at the upcoming party convention.

Other party officials have echoed these sentiments. Kang Deuk-gu, a supreme council member and close associate of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, noted on Facebook that "there were shortcomings from the nomination process to situation management." He suggested that the leadership "did not fully grasp the urgency on the ground and failed to meticulously examine the different currents of public sentiment in each region."

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There were shortcomings from the nomination process to situation management. The leadership did not fully grasp the urgency on the ground and failed to meticulously examine the different currents of public sentiment in each region.

Adding to the pressure, Park Beom-kye, a lawmaker, wrote on Facebook, "Even though the election results were good overall, it is embarrassing to call it a victory. Perhaps it was a failed election? Despite this, there are no statements expressing even a modicum of responsibility. That is regrettable."

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Even though the election results were good overall, it is embarrassing to call it a victory. Perhaps it was a failed election? Despite this, there are no statements expressing even a modicum of responsibility. That is regrettable.

The internal dissent has intensified the race for the party leadership, with the winner of the upcoming party convention set to wield significant influence over the 2028 general election nominations. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is expected to resign soon to prepare for the convention, emphasizing stable party-government relations. Former leader Song Young-gil is also reportedly considering a run, indicating a potential alignment against the current leadership. While the party achieved a quantitative victory nationwide, the qualitative loss in Seoul has cast a shadow, fueling the internal power struggle.

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We won quantitatively nationwide, but we lost qualitatively in Seoul. If we lost in Seoul, we lost.