Jung Chung-rae Tells Kim Ou-joon, "I Am the Right Person to Unite the Core; Division Must Not Become the Mainstream"

▲ Former Democratic Party Representative Jung Chung-rae answers questions from reporters after his press conference announcing his bid for party leader in the August 17 national convention, held at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 13th.

Jung Chung-rae, a former representative and a contender for the leadership of the Democratic Party, appeared on the YouTube channel of influential broadcaster Kim Ou-joon today (July 14), one day after announcing his candidacy for the August 17 national convention. During the broadcast, he stated, "It must not become the mainstream to divide our traditional support base."

Speaking on the program "Humility is Hard, News Factory" today (July 14), Jung said, "The Democratic Party is a single-root community that connects Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung, but at some point, suspicions began to arise that some were trying to cut those roots."

He emphasized, "To unite the core traditional support base into one, someone must play a role with the spirit of a single root," adding, "The right person for that is Jung Chung-rae."

Regarding the June 3 by-election for the National Assembly seat in Pyeongtaek-eul, which ended in a victory for the People Power Party due to the fragmentation of candidates within the pan-ruling camp, Jung said, "Looking back, I think it might have been right not to field a candidate (from the Democratic Party)." However, he added, "If we had done that (not fielded a candidate) at the time, there would have been immense criticism, attacks, chaos, and division, with claims that we were 'trying to nurture Cho Kuk' or that it was a revival of the pro-Moon (Jae-in) faction."

He also addressed criticism from other leadership contenders regarding his proposal earlier this year to merge with the Innovation Party, which fell through due to internal opposition. He acknowledged that "(the process) was rough," but added, "I think it was something we had to do, no matter what."

Regarding his leadership rival, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who mentioned "absorption" as a method for integration with the Innovation Party, Jung pointed out, "That is like saying, 'Let's shake hands, but you must kneel down to do it,'" adding, "It is best to avoid offending the other party."

Jung remained cautious regarding the so-called "August integration convention" allegations, which suggest that President Lee Jae-myung supported a plan to hold a joint convention with the Innovation Party, but that former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok caused the plan to collapse.

This issue surfaced after Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu, who is close to former Prime Minister Kim, posted and then deleted a message on social media claiming he had met with Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo.

Regarding this, Jung said, "(I was also present at the meeting between Supreme Council member Kang and Senior Secretary Hong.) I know the content of the conversation that took place," adding, "There are things that should be taken to the grave." He continued, "As someone who has served as party leader, it does not seem appropriate to disclose such things just because it might be advantageous to me."

Regarding his remark during his candidacy announcement the previous day that he "would not run for president using the party leader position," Jung explained, "If I serve as party leader for two years (if elected), it seems any action I take would be attacked as a move toward the presidential race or a build-up for it. I thought I needed to block that."

He added, "When I considered the advice (from those around me) that it would be better to declare it in advance if I have no intention of running for president, I realized that was the right thing to do."

Regarding cautious views within the party on abolishing the supplementary investigation rights, he said, "We must move forward boldly like a lion that is not startled by the sound of the wind," adding, "There may be some wavering lawmakers, but that is not the mainstream."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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