Will it respond to public sentiment? Democratic Party convention is the gauge

Following the recent local elections, South Korea's Democratic Party finds itself in a position of "half-victory," having failed to achieve its anticipated clean sweep. While the party secured wins in some areas, its defeat in the Seoul mayoral race and underperformance in conservative strongholds like Gyeongnam and Daegu indicate a need for strategic reevaluation. The upcoming party convention, coupled with potential cabinet reshuffles by the current administration, presents a critical juncture for the party to reconnect with public sentiment and articulate a clear vision.

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'Cleansing the past' and similar slogans from the Democratic Party showed an excess of zeal. When the main perpetrator of the past has already received a heavy sentence and is imprisoned, would emphasizing cleansing the past throughout the election have been persuasive to voters?

Initial optimistic projections of winning 15 out of 16 metropolitan mayoral races were significantly missed. Analysts point to an overemphasis on "cleansing the past" rhetoric, stemming from the party's previous term, and a complacent approach relying on President Lee Jae-myung's high approval ratings. Furthermore, the party is seen as lacking policies tailored to new voter segments. The "cleansing the past" slogan, in particular, is viewed as a relic of the opposition party's mindset, failing to resonate persuasively with voters when the main perpetrators of past wrongdoings have already been convicted.

Political commentators and party insiders suggest that the party's focus on issues like the "manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill" alienated moderate voters. The push for prosecutorial reform, driven by President Lee's history with the prosecution and the demands of hardline supporters, is seen as a key factor in consolidating the opposition's base. There is concern that the upcoming party convention might exacerbate internal divisions, with candidates competing on who can voice stronger, more hardline stances, potentially leading the party further away from the center.

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The areas where the Democratic Party lost this election were places with strong conservative sentiment. The prosecution's cancellation of charges issue was something the People Power Party continuously exploited, and the claim that 'the Democratic Party is making laws to acquit the President' seems to have been particularly sensitive to younger voters.

Criticism also extends to the communication style of President Lee and party leaders, with some suggesting that harsh language on social media provided ammunition for the opposition. Moreover, candidates relying solely on the president's endorsement, even those with administrative experience, failed to secure victory in key races. The lack of proactive campaigning in some instances was perceived as arrogance by voters. The party also faces scrutiny for neglecting policy considerations for evolving voter demographics, particularly the departure of younger female voters who are reportedly more interested in practical, life-oriented issues rather than abstract political slogans.

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The party leadership may have been influenced by excessive criticism from some active supporters who were passive about ending the 'rebellion,' which could have appeared 불안하게 to moderate voters. We should have continuously shown consideration for balancing between moderate voters and active supporters, but that was insufficient.

The internal mood within the Democratic Party is already shifting towards calculating gains and losses for the upcoming party convention. However, concerns are mounting that without a thorough and honest review of the recent election results, the focus on internal power struggles could further alienate the public. Calls are being made for party-wide discussions and healing processes to engage members and address the wounds from the election defeat, ensuring a more grounded approach moving forward.

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There are few voices within the party publicly pointing out factors like the promotion of the manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill as reasons for this election loss. As the party convention begins, a dynamic of competition over who can voice stronger arguments may emerge, leading to a regression to past political methods rather than a cool-headed review of the election results, which is the most concerning aspect.