Unending Jeon Gwang-hoon Controversy... Whispers Over Won Hee-ryong's Attendance at Rally

Opposition: "Centrist Expansion? Close Moves to Hardcore Supporters"
Ruling Party: "Even Monkeys Fall from Trees Sometimes"

After the announcement of the successor to Minister Won Hee-ryong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, there has been controversy over his visit to a conservative Christian rally led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church.

Minister Won stated, "I only went to share a faith testimony," drawing a line against political interpretations. However, it is known that during the rally, he made remarks targeting Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. This was interpreted as a move to solidify conservative votes with the upcoming general election in mind.

Earlier, Minister Won, who expressed his intention to run in a challenging district in next year’s general election, indirectly indicated his plan to run against Lee in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, Lee’s constituency.

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

In political circles, choosing a conservative religious rally as his first destination after the cabinet reshuffle announcement was criticized as being far from the "expansion of the moderate base" that Minister Won claimed as his conviction.

Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Sung-min said on SBS Radio, "(Minister Won) has frequently shown behavior closely aligned with the hardline support base at some point," adding, "Running in a challenging district might appear to appeal to moderates or the non-partisan group on the surface, but in reality, it’s about 'catching Lee Jae-myung.' That is a card that would excite his support base."

Similar criticism came from within the ruling party. Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min said in a CBS Radio interview, "Although it may not have been intentional to meet Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, the mere appearance of Jeon Kwang-hoon’s name in the scene is notable," adding, "It could be seen as a scratch on Minister Won’s recent political efforts aimed at sacrifice, dedication, and outreach to the moderate base."

However, Kim added, "Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes. Minister Won was an original young reformist member of our conservative party, known as Namwonjeong (Nam Kyung-pil, Won Hee-ryong, Jeong Byeong-guk)," and said, "He has never hesitated to speak harsh truths when the party was in difficulty and has declared his willingness to sacrifice during the toughest moments. During the remaining election period, not only Minister Won but all our members must carefully address such controversies to avoid further issues."

As the controversy continued, Minister Won posted on social media on the 6th, stating, "I am still a minister, and the recent gathering was not a political meeting. It is highly inappropriate to twist the fact that a certain individual attended as if I went to support him."

He continued, "My conviction is conservative innovation and unity, and the expansion of the moderate base. If necessary, I will meet and talk with anyone, but extreme and exclusive claims do not align with me," he emphasized.