Ruling party's internal strife overshadows economic woes

The ruling Democratic Party is grappling with significant internal divisions as it approaches its August national convention. President Lee Jae-myung has publicly admonished the party's 'hardline faction,' urging a move away from "excessive expressions, thought censorship, and insults based on interests." This critique is widely seen as targeting party leader Chung Sye-kyun and his supporters.

The friction was palpable when President Lee departed for a European tour, notably excluding Chung from the send-off ceremony. Chung responded with a cryptic remark: "The people are eternal, but regimes are short-lived." This exchange reportedly led to heated arguments within the party's closed-door meeting on July 11. Further complicating matters, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Ji-eun resigned after drawing criticism for comparing President Lee to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, a move that ignited controversy.

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The party must be different when it is in power than when it is in opposition. We should not insult others with excessive expressions, thought censorship, or by considering interests.

Supporters of President Lee are now calling for Chung to abandon his bid for re-election as party leader, citing responsibility for the recent disappointing local election results. The internal bickering is overshadowing the party's role as the ruling power, raising public concern. While party leadership contests are natural, especially with the upcoming general election nominations at stake, the current convention should focus on productive discussions about the government's future direction, not devolve into a battle of factions.

The public's expectations are clear: the ruling party must not neglect its responsibilities due to internal power struggles. South Korea faces mounting economic challenges, including rising interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation, which burden households and businesses. Economic inequality and polarization are worsening, and public sentiment is shifting. Recent polls show a significant drop in President Lee's approval rating, with the opposition People Power Party gaining ground. The ruling party must heed this warning and address its internal conflicts to regain public trust.

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The people are eternal, and the regime is short-lived.