'Pro-Myeong Left Leader' Jeong Seong-ho Supports Lee Jae-myung's 'Moderate·Conservative' Stance... Anti-Myeong Faction Reacts "Denial of History"

Pro-Lee Faction: "Both Kim Dae-jung and Moon Jae-in Spoke of 'Centrist Conservatism'"
Anti-Lee Faction: "Denial of the Democratic Party's 70-Year History"

Jeong Seong-ho, a leading figure of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea, rolled up his sleeves to support Lee Jae-myung's remarks about being a 'centrist conservative.' On the 19th, after the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee told reporters, "We are not originally a progressive party. The Democratic Party is positioned as a centrist conservative party." As criticism of Lee's remarks spread, Jeong defended him on the 20th during SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' stating, "Lee Jae-myung was not talking about the Democratic Party's identity but rather its current position, policies, and direction."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Congressman Jeong Seong-ho. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He continued, "The Democratic Party displays photos of Kim Gu, Shin Ik-hee, Dr. Jo Byung-ok, former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in," explaining, "Kim Gu, Jo Byung-ok, and Shin Ik-hee were not involved in progressive reform movements. In the 1950s, the progressive faction included Jo Bong-am's reform faction, but it was all destroyed. Afterwards, the lineage continued through Kim Cheol's Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Labor Party, the Unified Progressive Party, the Progressive Party, and the Socialist Party," clarifying that the progressive faction and the Democratic Party have different roots.

Jeong also referenced the late former President Kim Dae-jung's statement before the 1997 presidential election, where he said, "Our party is a centrist right-wing party." He emphasized, "He explained that it is right-wing because it supports and defends a free market economy, and centrist because it represents the interests of ordinary people. That stance has continued until now," highlighting that Lee's remarks are in line with this tradition. Jeong added, "The People Power Party, which calls itself a conservative party, is currently moving in the exact opposite direction of core conservative values such as the rule of law and respect for the constitutional order. In this situation, Lee's statement means that the Democratic Party should embrace reasonable conservatives and lead national unity."

On the same day, Kang Yoo-jung, the party's floor spokesperson, also told reporters after a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, "Former President Kim Dae-jung also described himself as centrist right-wing during the 1997 presidential election, and former President Moon Jae-in mentioned in a 2016 Dong-A Ilbo interview that although the party is progressive compared to the Saenuri Party, its identity is that of a conservative party."

"A Denial of the Democratic Party's 70-Year History" Immediate Backlash from the Anti-Lee Faction

Unlike the pro-Lee faction that defended Lee Jae-myung's remarks, members of the anti-Lee faction immediately criticized them.

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum appeared on YTN Radio that day and criticized, "It is a historical fact that the Democratic Party has been responsible for the progressive domain, and this identity cannot be changed by a simple declaration." He added, "Especially, changes to the party's identity and direction cannot be made just because the party leader makes a unilateral declaration; it requires sufficient discussion to gain public consensus," emphasizing, "It cannot be changed so quickly." He further stated, "Former President Kim Dae-jung said that the ideology was to realize a welfare society, former President Roh Moo-hyun said, 'The participatory government aims for progressivism,' and former President Moon Jae-in also governed with progressive values," stressing, "How can this flow change overnight?" He pointed out, "Lee's desire to be a pragmatic political leader and defining the party's identity overnight are completely different matters."

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum appeared on YTN Radio that day and criticized, "It is a historical fact that the Democratic Party has been responsible for the progressive sector, and this identity cannot be changed by a simple declaration." Photo by Heo Young-han

Former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan also wrote on social media, "I agree with the pragmatic approach of 'black cat or white cat,' but denying the Democratic Party's history of struggle for Korea's development and democratization is unacceptable." Kim said, "Of course, to judge the forces of rebellion and establish a democratic regime, votes from the centrist conservatives must be obtained," but added, "One must not forget their fundamental roots in the desire to become president." He urged, "Lee should admit that his remarks were a slip of the tongue and apologize to the Democratic Party supporters and the public who have fought against dictatorship and monopoly."

Former Governor of Gyeongnam Province Kim Kyung-soo also stated on Facebook the previous day, "The Democratic Party's identity cannot be changed overnight." Kim added, "The distinction between progressive and conservative is relative depending on time and place, and now we must move beyond ideological debates," but also said, "We must become a competent Democratic Party that protects our identity while embracing support from centrist conservative citizens."

Park Ji-won, a close aide of former President Kim Dae-jung, evaluated Lee Jae-myung's declaration of a "conservative centrist party" by saying, "Leader Lee is doing well; that is the path of DJ." Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Meanwhile, Park Ji-won, a close aide of former President Kim Dae-jung, evaluated Lee Jae-myung's declaration of a 'conservative centrist party' by saying, "Lee is doing well; that is DJ's path." On KBS Radio's Jeonggyeok Sisa that day, Park stated, "Strictly speaking, former President Kim Dae-jung was a centrist conservative, and both the Democratic Party and Kim always advocated centrist reform." He added, "A candidate cannot become president with only their support base; Kim Dae-jung also shifted to the right to come to power," and said, "Although Kim Dae-jung unified with conservative icons Kim Jong-pil and Park Tae-joon to gain power, Kim's policies never became conservative." Finally, Park emphasized, "Lee needs a slight rightward shift, and if the People Power Party produces a presidential candidate, they should also shift slightly leftward for national unity."