Jung Sung-ho: "'Infinite Responsibility' Remark Is a Fundamental Statement... Calls for Resignation Are Unreasonable"

Jeong Seong-ho, the leader of the pro-Myeong (親明) faction and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, called the 'resignation theory' emerging mainly from the non-Myeong (非明) faction "nonsense," saying, "If the current leader resigns now, a party convention must be held again." Regarding Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's statement that he would "take unlimited responsibility" for Innovation Committee Chair Lee Rae-gyeong's resignation, Jeong described it as a "principled statement."

On the 8th, on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' Jeong said, "As the party leader, there are naturally various big and small issues, and it is only natural that the party leader, as the person responsible, takes responsibility for them. This is a fundamental principle," he said.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although Leader Lee declared "unlimited responsibility," there is no specific plan to bear such responsibility. In response to the host's question about concrete measures, he said, "There were some regrets about the announcement process of the Innovation Committee Chair. I think the party should have gathered more opinions from both inside and outside the party. I got the impression that the person has strong conviction, principles, and determination, but also a very strong subjectivity." He added, "Since it does not meet the public's expectations, it is necessary for the leader to express an appropriate level of regret regarding that part."

Regarding calls for resignation within the party, he pointed out, "There are demands for the leader to resign now and also suggestions to form an emergency committee, but if an emergency committee is to be formed, the entire current leadership must resign." He added, "If only the party leader resigns, some people habitually talk about the leader's resignation, but if the current leader resigns, a party convention must be held again."

This is because if more than eight months remain in the term, a party convention must be held to fill the remaining term. Jeong said, "At such a critical time, plunging the Democratic Party into another party convention turmoil would put the party in greater crisis," and criticized, "Therefore, such claims are completely groundless and irresponsible."

When asked by the host whether someone like Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party member who has consistently called for resignation, should be brought in as Innovation Committee Chair, he replied, "Without exception," and said, "Whether pro-Myeong or non-Myeong, leader or not, if they are someone with the will to break the current vested interest structure of the Democratic Party, which is flawed, they should be welcomed."