Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning during the National Assembly Education Committee's audit of Chonnam National University, Chonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonbuk National University Hospital, and Jeju National University Hospital at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju on the morning of the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Jin-in (塵人) Jo Eun-san, who posted a petition to the Blue House in the form of the 'Seven Proposals for the New Year,' mentioned on the 22nd the departure of former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop and claimed that fellow party member Jeong Cheong-rae would soon leave the party as well.
On the same day, Jo pointed out through his blog that since Representative Jeong has shown actions such as indirectly criticizing Lee Jae-myung, the key asset of the ruling party and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, he would soon face disciplinary action and follow the path of leaving the party, just like former Representative Geum.
Regarding Geum’s departure, Jo said, "(Former Representative Geum) is a former prosecutor who expressed support for the separation of investigation and prosecution powers of the prosecution and criticized his former mentor, former Minister Cho Kuk, turning his back on his party," adding, "The Democratic Party has lost a very valuable asset."
He speculated that the reason for Geum’s departure might be, "Perhaps he wanted to remain an eternal prosecutor who cannot escape the strictness of criminal law and criminal procedure law, which are the principles of legality and procedural law, rather than being a servile politician who suppresses his beliefs and convictions to follow party lines and appease supporters while belonging to one party."
He continued, "There is another principled lawmaker here," saying, "Jeong Cheong-rae posted on Facebook a farewell message to departing Representative Geum Tae-seop, saying, 'Chulsoo-hyung (Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party) is lonely, so go and lend him strength,' which was more of a backhanded compliment than a genuine one." He also claimed, "By saying, 'Politicians worry about the next generation, while political hacks worry about the next election,' he indirectly criticized Governor Lee Jae-myung’s populist policies that rely on vote-buying and cannot be achieved without enormous sacrifices from certain classes and generations."
Jo said, "There are many paths to win the hearts of the people, but populism that abandons national debt ratios and fiscal soundness to the next generation and deceives the people by recklessly implementing vote-buying policies is the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable path among them," and asked, "Should politicians who choose such a path really be called 'politicians,' or should they be called 'political hacks,' as Jeong Cheong-rae said?"
He added, "It is surprising that there are still lawmakers with such insight in the Democratic Party, but soon Representative Jeong will also face disciplinary action and follow the process of leaving the party for going against party lines," and wrote, "If so, I would like to recommend that he join the People’s Party."
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