Lecture by Jeong Cheong-rae at the Joguk Innovation Party Workshop
Some Democratic Party Supporters Criticize as "Inappropriate Behavior"
Tensions Emerge Over Formation of Parliamentary Negotiation Group
Jeong Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, directly addressed the backlash from the party’s support base after it was revealed that he recently gave a lecture at a workshop hosted by the Joguk Innovation Party. On the 19th, Jeong posted a message titled "A Few Words" on 'Jaemyeong’s Village,' a fan cafe for Lee Jae-myung, the party leader. He began by expressing gratitude to the party members and supporters who played a pivotal role in the general election victory, and then addressed the controversy surrounding his invited lecture titled ‘Wise Legislative Life’ at the Joguk Innovation Party.
Jeong explained, "I was responsible for training about 600 Democratic Party preliminary candidates and recruited talents during the 21st general election, and before this election, I also gave lectures to 27 recruited talents as part of the party’s official education. The Joguk Innovation Party invited me, asking ‘Can you help us too?’ and I shared this information in advance with the party’s closed Supreme Council before accepting the role as a lecturer."
He added, "As a party member who loves the Democratic Party, I understand that some may feel disappointed, but there is no need to worry too much. If I caused any unintended concern, that is my fault for not explaining sufficiently. I will take the lead in protecting Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party. Thank you," he emphasized.
Previously, on the 15th, Jeong was invited as a speaker to the Joguk Innovation Party elected members’ workshop held in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province. After the lecture, he posted on social media, "As a first-term lawmaker, I conducted a two-hour orientation covering legislation, budget oversight, National Assembly operations, and the basic attitude of a public politician," and expressed his hope that "everyone becomes excellent politicians."
Opposition Emerges Over Joguk Innovation Party’s Formation of a Negotiating Group
Representative Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party and the elected members are visiting former President Moon Jae-in at Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In this general election, the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party cooperated, resulting in a landslide victory for the opposition. However, tensions have surfaced over the formation of a negotiating group in the National Assembly (which requires 20 seats). The Joguk Innovation Party secured 12 seats, falling 8 short, making it difficult without the Democratic Party’s cooperation. Previously, the Democratic Party had pledged to ease the requirements for forming a negotiating group as part of its election promises, but concerns have arisen that if the Joguk Innovation Party becomes a negotiating group, it might lose control over key issues and be led around.
In fact, resentment toward the Joguk Innovation Party was expressed in the Democratic Party’s member community ‘Blue Wave.’ Comments included, “Those who support Joguk are second-generation ‘subak’ (betrayers),” and “It is not a good image for former President Moon Jae-in to keep his Democratic Party membership while taking photos with Joguk Innovation Party elected members.” Regarding Jeong’s lecture at the Joguk Innovation Party, strong Democratic Party supporters known as ‘Gaeddal’ protested with remarks such as "The party leadership is not being cautious," "What are you doing going to another party?" and "Isn’t this an act of disloyalty?"
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