The recent book launch event for Kim Yong, a prominent figure in South Korean politics and an associate of President Lee Jae-myung, attracted various potential candidates from the ruling party gearing up for the June 3 local elections. The atmosphere was lively as many attendees expressed support for Kim Yong, who has faced various challenges in recent times, and emphasized the necessity of his role in ensuring the success of Lee Jae-myung's government. Prominent figures from the ruling faction gathered, presenting a united front, yet the underlying tensions within the party were palpable.

Among the attendees, Kim Dong-yeon, the governor of Gyeonggi Province, drew considerable attention for his apparent discomfort at the event. Although he was seen shaking hands with Kim Yong and attending initial parts of the ceremony, he soon left under the pretext of another schedule. This behavior sparked interpretations from political analysts, suggesting that Kim Dong-yeon might be attempting to reconcile differences with the pro-Lee faction despite ongoing tensions. His early departure seemed to signal a lack of comfort or alignment with the more radical members of the party present at the event.

The aftermath of Kim Dong-yeon's attendance, however, was met with cold reactions from pro-Lee party members. Some criticized his visit as an insincere gesture, indicating that he had reached beyond his comfort zone in an attempt to appear unified. For instance, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Ji-ho pointed out that Kim Dong-yeon was the one who expressed intention to attend, countering interpretations that suggested otherwise. The remarks following the event reveal deeper divides within the Democratic Party, and welfare and responsibilities among party members are now under scrutiny, particularly concerning their loyalty to past allies amid ongoing electoral strategies.