{"id":2202367,"date":"2023-09-27T17:04:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T08:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202367"},"modified":"2023-09-28T18:57:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T09:57:51","slug":"south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s political landscape is undergoing a notable shift, highlighted by the recent events enveloping the Democratic Party (DP). The Seoul Central District Court\u2019s decision to <\/span>reject an arrest warrant<\/span><\/a> for DP leader Lee Jae-myung, juxtaposed with the National Assembly\u2019s earlier move to <\/span>revoke his parliamentary immunity<\/span><\/a>, epitomizes the current political volatility.<\/span><\/p>\n

As South Koreans process these contrasting actions by their judiciary and legislative branches, public opinion appears to be as multifaceted as the nation’s political landscape. A recent <\/span>Gallup Korea poll<\/span><\/a> reveals a country sharply divided over Lee\u2019s case, a sentiment influenced by deep-seated political, regional and generational undercurrents.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the DP grapples with internal fractures and external perceptions, the ramifications for the DP\u2019s prospects in the upcoming April parliamentary election are profound.<\/span><\/p>\n

PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED<\/b><\/p>\n

The Gallup Korea poll reveals that while 46% of respondents viewed the prosecution\u2019s request for Lee\u2019s arrest warrant as justified, 37% saw it as political oppression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regional sentiments on the investigation vary. While the consensus across many regions sees the investigation as fair, Jeolla province, a DP stronghold, stands out in its opposition. In Seoul, a significant 61% of respondents support the legitimacy of the investigation, contrasted by 27% opposing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generational trends also spotlight a nuanced landscape of political opinions. Younger South Koreans, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, are more likely to support the DP, with 29% of those in their 20s and 32% of those in their 30s endorsing the party. In comparison, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) garners support from 19% of individuals in their 20s and 25% of those in their 30s.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Gallup Korea poll highlights a noticeable gender-based difference in political preferences among individuals in their 20s and 30s. Specifically, 16.5% of men support the DP, while the figure rises to 37.5% among women. Conversely, 29% of men in this age bracket support the PPP, compared to 23% of women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the partisan inclination, 42% of individuals in their 20s and 47% in their 30s consider the request for Lee\u2019s arrest warrant justified. The political perspective of this younger cohort has been deeply influenced by recent pivotal events: former President <\/span>Park Geun-hye<\/span><\/a>\u2019s impeachment, allegations of abuse of power surrounding former justice minister <\/span>Cho Kuk<\/span><\/a> and former Seoul Mayor <\/span>Park Won-soon<\/span><\/a>\u2019s suicide following sexual harassment allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, middle-aged Koreans, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, broadly approach the investigation into Lee with skepticism, a sentiment in line with their typical support for the DP. Many in their 40s were deeply affected by former President <\/span>Roh Moo-hyun<\/span><\/a>\u2019s suicide in 2009, for which they predominantly hold conservatives and the country\u2019s prosecutors responsible. Those in their 50s, influenced by <\/span>pro-democracy student movements<\/span><\/a> of the 1980s, maintain a solid anti-conservative bias.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, the senior cohort in their 60s and 70s appear more supportive of the investigation into Lee. Shaped by the aftermath of the Korean War and the rapid economic growth South Korea enjoyed under former South Korean leader <\/span>Park Chung-hee<\/span><\/a>, this group often views the DP with suspicion, given its more lenient stance toward the North and its center-left views.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result of this generational dynamic, an intriguing aspect of modern Korean politics is the alignment of the older generation\u2019s views with those of the youth, in contrast to the middle-aged bracket, a <\/span>pattern<\/span><\/a> evident in the last South Korean presidential election.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, despite these nuanced perceptions, it\u2019s notable that Lee\u2019s recent hunger strike hasn\u2019t significantly altered party approval metrics, with experts suggesting that Lee\u2019s protest was more <\/span>self-serving<\/span><\/a> than other political figures of the past who also resorted to such strikes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Newly-elected majority floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo presides over a Democratic Party meeting, Sept. 27, 2023 | Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

INTERNAL STRIFE<\/b><\/p>\n

Amid recent events surrounding Lee, the DP\u2019s decision to pass a motion stripping him of his parliamentary immunity showcases the fissures present within the party, even as it maintains a commanding 167 seats in South Korea\u2019s unicameral legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two factions have emerged within the DP: one that remains steadfast in its support for Lee and another that seeks a change in leadership. This split is evident from the vote on Lee\u2019s parliamentary immunity. Out of the party\u2019s lawmakers, it\u2019s <\/span>estimated<\/span><\/a> that at least 31 voted in favor of stripping his immunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The court’s rejection of the arrest warrant is a significant turn of events. This verdict not only bolsters Lee\u2019s position within the party but also grants him an opportunity to make strategic moves. He is anticipated to reclaim his leadership position and, with a reinforced mandate, may respond assertively against those who opposed him, potentially signaling a phase of internal reshuffling within the DP.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dissenting DP lawmakers find themselves at a crossroads. They might strategize to wrest control of the DP, but given Lee\u2019s strengthened position, it may be a daunting task. If their efforts to gain control prove unsuccessful, these lawmakers may break away to form a new party, aiming to offer an alternative voice within the country\u2019s political landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the annals of Korean politics suggest that forming a new party is <\/span>rife<\/span><\/a> with <\/span>challenges<\/span><\/a>. This group would need to navigate voter sentiment, party loyalty and the intricacies of South Korean electoral politics. Unless this group can put forward a figure who could make for a strong presidential candidate, its success will be limited significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next few weeks and months are bound to be pivotal. The political maneuverings within the DP and its broader implications could reshape the trajectory of South Korean politics in the lead-up to the upcoming 2024 general elections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s political landscape is undergoing a notable shift, highlighted by the recent events enveloping the Democratic Party (DP). The Seoul Central District Court\u2019s decision to reject an arrest warrant for DP leader Lee Jae-myung, juxtaposed with the National Assembly\u2019s earlier move to revoke his parliamentary immunity, epitomizes the current political volatility. As South Koreans […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2202368,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[27],"yoast_head":"\nSouth Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s political landscape is undergoing a notable shift, highlighted by the recent events enveloping the Democratic Party (DP). The Seoul Central District Court\u2019s decision to reject an arrest warrant for DP leader Lee Jae-myung, juxtaposed with the National Assembly\u2019s earlier move to revoke his parliamentary immunity, epitomizes the current political volatility. As South Koreans […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/09\/feature-13.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"548\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"johnleenknews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Justin Yeo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"johnleenknews\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/b9766dba611638edc06a6e0b7078714d\"},\"headline\":\"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\"},\"wordCount\":958,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Domestic Politics\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Analysis\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\",\"name\":\"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\",\"name\":\"KOREA PRO\",\"description\":\"Be smart about South Korea. Up-to-date analysis on foreign relations, politics, society and economy. Made by the producers of NK PRO and NK News.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"KOREA PRO\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png\",\"width\":360,\"height\":50,\"caption\":\"KOREA PRO\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/southkoreapro\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO","og_description":"South Korea\u2019s political landscape is undergoing a notable shift, highlighted by the recent events enveloping the Democratic Party (DP). The Seoul Central District Court\u2019s decision to reject an arrest warrant for DP leader Lee Jae-myung, juxtaposed with the National Assembly\u2019s earlier move to revoke his parliamentary immunity, epitomizes the current political volatility. As South Koreans […]","og_url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/","og_site_name":"KOREA PRO","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/","article_published_time":"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/09\/feature-13.png","width":1024,"height":548,"type":"image\/png"}],"author":"johnleenknews","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@southkoreapro","twitter_site":"@southkoreapro","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Justin Yeo","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/"},"author":{"name":"johnleenknews","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/b9766dba611638edc06a6e0b7078714d"},"headline":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party","datePublished":"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00","dateModified":"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/"},"wordCount":958,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization"},"keywords":["Domestic Politics"],"articleSection":["Analysis"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/","name":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party - KOREA PRO","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2023-09-27T08:04:05+00:00","dateModified":"2023-09-28T09:57:51+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/south-korean-opposition-leaders-arrest-warrant-denial-reflects-fractured-party\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"South Korean opposition leader\u2019s arrest warrant denial reflects fractured party"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/","name":"KOREA PRO","description":"Be smart about South Korea. Up-to-date analysis on foreign relations, politics, society and economy. Made by the producers of NK PRO and NK News.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization","name":"KOREA PRO","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png","width":360,"height":50,"caption":"KOREA PRO"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/southkoreapro"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202367"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10407"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2202367"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2202371,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202367\/revisions\/2202371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2202368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2202367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2202367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2202367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}