Between Opinion and Intervention… Controversy Surrounding the President's Remarks Within the Party

After President Lee Jaemyung mentioned the issue of raising the deposit for the Democratic Party's national convention on social media, controversy over interference in party affairs has continued. The Presidential Office explained that the remarks were a principled opinion on youth political participation and the public financing system for elections. The president said that the system could be reviewed because the burden of the deposit may become a barrier for young candidates to enter politics. Afterwards, the opposition criticized it as interference in another party's election, while the president countered that party activities as a party member are allowed. The People Power Party pointed out that the party constitution includes a provision prohibiting the president from intervening in major party affairs, but the Democratic Party countered that even while in office, he has the authority to participate in decisions on the party line. The article also noted that, apart from whether there is a legal violation, the president's immediate social media response could deepen conflicts inside and outside the party and place a burden on cooperation in governance.