{"id":2206204,"date":"2024-08-19T15:22:41","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T06:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206204"},"modified":"2024-08-20T17:52:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T08:52:23","slug":"lee-jae-myungs-re-election-intensifies-risks-for-businesses-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/08\/lee-jae-myungs-re-election-intensifies-risks-for-businesses-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Jae-myung\u2019s re-election intensifies risks for businesses in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lee Jae-myung <\/span>secured a second term<\/span><\/a> as leader of South Korea\u2019s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday, solidifying his influence and positioning himself as a key contender for the 2027 presidential election.<\/span><\/p>\n However, his re-election is likely to contribute to the intensification of political polarization and legislative gridlock, which pose significant risks for businesses operating in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n As Lee\u2019s leadership strengthens, the DP and the presidential office will likely remain at loggerheads over economic policies, creating uncertainty for businesses in the coming years.<\/span><\/p>\n STRENGTHENED PRO-LEE FACTION<\/b><\/p>\n Lee\u2019s re-election has reaffirmed his dominance within the party and strengthened his faction, which now exerts considerable influence over the party\u2019s direction. This faction\u2019s growing power is evidenced by the overwhelming support Lee received in the leadership election, in which he secured <\/span>85% of the vote<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n This level of support indicates that Lee\u2019s vision, particularly his <\/span>\u201cbasic society\u201d<\/span><\/a> welfare plan that centers on implementing universal basic income (UBI) and expanding welfare provisions, has gained deep-rooted support from the party.<\/span><\/p>\n The pro-Lee faction\u2019s influence is further highlighted by the filling of key positions with Lee\u2019s <\/span>close allies<\/span><\/a>. These include Kim Min-seok, who topped the vote for the party\u2019s Supreme Council with 18%, and Jeon Hyun-hee, who came in second with nearly 16%.<\/span><\/p>\n This consolidation of power within the DP suggests that the party will pursue a more confrontational stance against the Yoon administration, setting the stage for heightened political battles over economic policy, labor rights and welfare reform.<\/span><\/p>\n