Rep. Lee Jae-myung's aspirations to become Korea's next president have run into a significant roadblock.
The chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was sentenced to one year in prison, although the sentence was suspended for two years. If the Supreme Court upholds the Seoul Central District Court's ruling regarding Lee's election law violations, he will lose his parliamentary seat and be barred from running in the next presidential election. It remains uncertain whether the district court's decision will be upheld or overturned by the higher courts, starting with the appeals court and potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
If the district court's ruling is upheld, it will have a profound impact on Korea's political landscape, particularly for the DPK. Lee's political career will come to an abrupt end, leaving the DPK without a leader and potentially reshaping the party's future.
Even if Lee manages to avoid the worst consequences, his path forward will remain difficult. He still faces significant legal challenges. A district court is set to rule on Nov. 25 regarding his alleged involvement in forced confessions. Additionally, he is on trial for two other major cases. One involves his alleged role in a corruption-ridden land development scandal in Seongnam City, where he served as mayor. The other concerns accusations of bribery, with Lee indicted on June 12 for allegedly accepting an $8 million bribe from SWB Inc.
Regardless of how Lee's legal battles unfold, the ruling on Friday delivered a crucial message to the DPK: it should serve as a wake-up call for the party.
What the DPK has done so far has been deeply disappointing.
The recent weekend rallies organized by the DPK have been met with widespread derision from the public.
The DPK mobilized its members and supporters for large protests in central Seoul on Nov. 2 and 9. The party argued that these rallies were intended to pressure President Yoon Suk Yeol and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) into supporting the appointment of a special counsel to investigate allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee.
However, the DPK's "cause" lacked persuasiveness. The PPP countered by accusing the DPK of using the protests as a way to exert pressure on the judges overseeing Lee's cases, hoping to influence their rulings in his favor.
If this claim is true, the urban rallies were little more than the DPK's attempt to salvage its leader, who is mired in legal trouble.
The public's patience with politicians is wearing thin. People are fed up with partisan bickering and feel that their leaders are more focused on infighting than addressing the real issues. Frequent confrontations in Parliament have raised concerns, as parties argue over trivial matters while neglecting the pressing issues that should be their top priorities, such as the economy and the well-being of ordinary citizens.
The public is frustrated with the DPK's approach of opposing for the sake of opposing. People want lawmakers to fulfill their duties and focus on the issues that matter most, such as improving everyday living conditions. By ignoring the growing calls to address these basic concerns through constructive legislative action, the DPK has squandered the opportunity to capitalize on the widespread anti-Yoon sentiment.
The president is very unpopular, with his approval rating plummeting to under 20 percent in several recent polls. An unpopular president presents a clear opportunity for the opposition. However, the DPK squandered this chance, wasting time by playing divisive tactics instead of uniting the country and offering a constructive alternative.
The DPK holds a dominant position in the National Assembly, a significant asset that could help the party — and its leader — demonstrate their ability to improve the nation for everyone. However, they have yet to leverage this power effectively to show real progress.
However, this same asset can quickly become a liability if the party and its leadership fail to demonstrate competence. To regain public trust, Lee and the DPK must undergo a complete transformation — renewing their focus, accountability, and commitment to the issues that matter most to the people.
The final outcome of Lee's legal battles may not be clear until next year. In the meantime, Lee and other DPK members must work together to overhaul the party, making it more responsive to the public's needs and concerns. This is the most certain way for the DPK to rebuild trust and regain the confidence of the people.