Song Young-gil: "Jung Chung-rae's 'No Presidential Bid' Pledge Is Out of the Blue; My Past Defection Was to Protect the Party"

Representative Song Young-gil, a pro-Lee Jae-myung candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, has countered criticism from his rival, former representative Jung Chung-rae, regarding his past departure from the party, stating, "My defection was to protect the Democratic Party."

Appearing on a CBS radio program today (July 14), Song addressed remarks made by Jung, referring to an incident in 2021 when Song was party leader and Jung compared the collection of cultural heritage admission fees at Haeinsa Temple to the legendary swindler "Bong-i Kim Seon-dal."

Song explained, "Following the Bong-i Kim Seon-dal remark, the late Venerable Jaseung stated that if Jung Chung-rae was not expelled from the party, the Buddhist community would officially oppose candidate Lee Jae-myung." He added, "Despite that, he held his ground, causing a burden to the party and the candidate, and failed to offer a proper apology."

This is interpreted as an assertion that Jung caused a burden to the party by refusing to step down despite the backlash caused by his controversial remarks.

Song previously left the party in 2023 amid allegations involving the distribution of cash envelopes, but returned to the party this year after being acquitted of the charges.

Furthermore, regarding Jung's announcement yesterday that he would "not run for president while serving as party leader" upon declaring his candidacy for the party leadership, Song criticized the move, saying, "It is quite bizarre to talk about the presidential election when the current administration has four years left in its term, and pledging not to run for president for the sake of the party leadership is completely out of touch and unexpected."

He continued, "It is the first time in constitutional history that the media's main topic is a 'clash between the party leader and the president' during the president's first year in office," and emphasized, "At this moment, we need a ruling party leader who can work with the president to upgrade the nation and create an 'irreplaceable Republic of Korea.'"

He further criticized Jung, stating, "(Jung) has been conducting pre-campaign activities for the party leadership while living in the Honam region under the pretext of the last presidential election, and he fielded 800 of his own aides as candidates for various local government positions to prepare for his consecutive term," adding, "It was thoroughly a case of 'putting oneself before the party.'"

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.