Conflicting Reactions from Ruling and Opposition Parties to Jeong Un-hyeon's Support for Yoon Seok-yeol: "Disappointing" vs. "Welcoming a Pioneering Choice"

Jung Un-hyun: "I Will Humbly Accept Harsh Criticism and Reproach"

Jeong Un-hyeon, former Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister (left), and Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. Photo by Jeong, former Chief Secretary, Facebook screenshot.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 21st, the ruling and opposition parties showed mixed reactions after Jeong Un-hyeon, former Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and a close aide to Lee Nak-yeon, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, publicly endorsed Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party. While the Democratic Party expressed that it was "regrettable and disappointing," the People Power Party welcomed it as a "pioneering choice."

Jeong Un-hyeon: "I will support Yoon... Choosing a 'plant' president over a 'monster' president"

Earlier that morning, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "Recently, the Washington Post in the U.S. pointed out that 'the 20th Korean presidential election is a choice of the lesser evil.' My decision to support candidate Yoon is precisely choosing that lesser evil," declaring his support for Yoon.

He said, "There are many criticisms about candidate Yoon. Some say he lacks government experience and is ignorant, and there are many concerns about a 'prosecutor's republic.' I understand that well. Supporting Yoon does not mean I fully agree with his life and thoughts," adding, "However, I do not believe the president must be a know-it-all. Rather, honesty, a strong sense of public duty, and leadership qualities are more important."

He continued, "A candidate who flips on their words like turning over a palm, a candidate with less morality than an ordinary person, a candidate who knows no shame?no matter how many good pledges they make, those promises cannot be trusted," emphasizing, "An unripe apple can be ripened and eaten, but a rotten apple cannot be eaten. I have decided to choose a 'plant president' rather than an unpredictable 'monster president.'"

Ruling Party: "Jeong Un-hyeon's actions are regrettable and disappointing"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, are preparing for the debate at the first invited debate for the 20th presidential election hosted by the National Election Commission, held on the afternoon of the 21st at the MBC Media Center Public Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party expressed disappointment over Jeong’s public endorsement of candidate Yoon.

Lee Byung-hoon, Lee Nak-yeon’s Chief Secretary, wrote on his Facebook, "Jeong Un-hyeon's actions are regrettable and disappointing. Let me make it clear: Lee Nak-yeon’s primary campaign officially disbanded after the primary ended with a closing ceremony," drawing a line by adding, "Jeong has not represented or acted on behalf of Chairman Lee since then. I inform you that there was no prior discussion."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae also mocked Jeong Un-hyeon, saying, "Goodbye. You won’t get far. You must have been very hungry," criticizing, "Your one-person anger is rallying ten people. On the contrary, thank you."

Woo Hee-jong, co-chair of the Democratic Party’s Election Committee Animal Rights Committee and a professor at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, commented on Jeong’s post, saying, "I understand your feelings and concerns," but added, "Silence would have been natural, but Yoon Seok-yeol is unexpected. It’s regrettable."

Opposition Party: "Welcome pioneering choice... Will strive for national unity"

On the other hand, the People Power Party expressed welcome toward Jeong Un-hyeon. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook, "I remember a broadcast I happened to film with Mr. Jeong Un-hyeon eight years ago," writing, "Back then, he told me he wanted to establish a base for conservative parties to operate in Jeolla Province someday, and now it seems that framework is being established."

Yoon Ki-chan, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s election headquarters, also said in a statement, "We welcome Jeong Un-hyeon’s pioneering choice to select the candidate and the people over political camps for the future of the Republic of Korea. The People Power Party and candidate Yoon will work even harder for national unity and the future."

Meanwhile, as the controversy grew, Jeong posted again on Facebook, saying, "I have received many opinions today. There are mixed feelings of sympathy and criticism. The response is much bigger than I expected," adding, "All of this is my responsibility. I will humbly accept the harsh criticism and reproach from comrades."