"Why Didn't Jo Come?"... Jeong Cheong-rae Apologizes After Taking Photo of Jo Guk's Absence at Plenary Session

"Joking in a Friendly Way"
"Embarrassed Because It Felt Like Giving a Jjongko"

Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized to Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, saying, "I am sincerely sorry."

Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae in conversation with the ruling and opposition party secretaries [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, Jeong posted on Facebook, "I apologize to Leader Jo Guk," adding, "Since we are very close personally, I made a joke, but it ended up being a scolding, which embarrassed me and probably embarrassed Leader Jo as well."

Jeong's apology came after an incident during the National Assembly plenary session on the 19th. The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, passed the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' and the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act,' but Leader Jo was absent. Jeong said, "Why didn't Leader Jo come? Is he in Yeonggwang now? I'm going to Yeonggwang then," and even took a photo of Jo's empty seat with his phone.

Leader Jo, who was fully committed to supporting the by-elections for the Yeonggwang and Gokseong county governors in Jeollanam-do, had planned to attend the National Assembly around the 20th to participate in the vote, anticipating a filibuster by the People Power Party. However, since the ruling party gave up the filibuster, the vote took place on the afternoon of the 19th, and Jo could not attend, which sparked criticism. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Min-seok also criticized Jo's absence, saying, "It's embarrassing. Is he a local council member?"

In response, hardline Democratic Party supporters used the reactions of Jeong Cheong-rae and Kim Min-seok to strongly criticize Leader Jo, who was competing against the Democratic Party in Yeonggwang and Gokseong. The Innovation Party expressed strong regret over this.

Representative Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party
[Photo by Yonhap News]

As an uncomfortable atmosphere formed between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, Jeong appeared to step in to smooth things over. Jeong said, "I apologized via text, but once again, I sincerely apologize publicly," and added, "Although we are inevitably in a 'separate' competitive relationship due to the by-elections now, I believe that in the 2027 presidential election, we will 'meet again' in the river and go together to the great sea." He continued, "This was my carelessness, so I hope it does not cause trouble for Leader Jo or become a source of division," and added, "If we meet in Yeonggwang, let's smile and shake hands."

Leader Jo responded in the comments, saying, "There is no problem at all," and "I just took it as it was." He also said, "Please don't pressure the 'small party' too much," and "If we meet in Yeonggwang, let's do a high five."