'Donggyodong Faction' Jung Dae-chul and Kwon No-gap Apply for Reinstatement to Democratic Party... Support Activities for Lee Nak-yeon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Jeong Dae-cheol and Kwon No-gap, senior politicians from the Donggyo-dong faction, have declared their return to the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, former lawmaker Jeong held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "I judged that supporting the Democratic Party in the April 15 general election is the way to help the progress of history," adding, "I believe that the Democratic Party has inherited and developed the spirit of President Kim Dae-jung and Dr. Jeong Il-hyung, as well as the belief in liberal democracy."

He continued, "Watching the national crisis caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, I thought it was time to support the Democratic Party, so I am returning today." Former lawmaker Kwon was named in the press release but did not attend the press conference.

The press release included the names of 14 Donggyo-dong faction members, including former lawmakers Jeong and Kwon, Kim Hee-cheol, Ryu Jae-hee, Song Seok-chan, Shin Soon-beom, Shin Jung-sik, Lee Kyung-jae, Lee Young-kwon, Jeong Ho-jun, Choi Rak-do, Choi Jae-sung, and Hong Ki-hoon. They plan to support Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee, who is running in Jongno, Seoul.

Meanwhile, former lawmakers Jeong and Kwon left the Democratic Party in January 2016 before the general election and joined the People's Party. Afterwards, they served as standing advisors in the Party for Democracy and Peace, which split from the People's Party. Last September, conflicts arose over the issue of promoting a new party, leading them to leave the Party for Democracy and Peace. The Democratic Party plans to decide on their readmission after reviews by the provincial party committees, the Supreme Council, and the Party Affairs Committee.