Pro-Government Leader Jeong Seong-ho: "Inappropriate Remarks on Collusion... Willing to Apologize Instead"

"There Were Suspicions, but Nothing Was Confirmed... It Was Inappropriate"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that the incident two years ago when his arrest motion was passed in the National Assembly plenary session was "a scheme between the prosecution and some within the party," sparking further controversy. In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho said, "It was an inappropriate remark."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. March 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Jeong, known as a leader of the pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction, stated on June 6 on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Battle,' "It was not a statement intended to hurt anyone," adding, "(However) if there are members who feel hurt or disappointed, as someone close to the leader, I am willing to apologize on his behalf."

On June 5, Lee had mentioned the 2023 arrest motion passage incident on the YouTube channel 'Maebulsyo.' At that time, the arrest motion against Lee was passed in the National Assembly plenary session with 149 votes in favor, 136 against, 6 abstentions, and 4 invalid votes out of 295 members present. The motion passed by one vote over the required 148 votes, and it was estimated that up to 39 members of the Democratic Party defected, counting abstentions and invalid votes.

Regarding this, Lee said, "Looking at the things the prosecution did during the investigation process, the timing of their actions, the unofficial requests made to me by some within the party, and the proposals made through negotiations, it seems like it was all schemed with some inside the party," adding, "There is no evidence of a conspiracy, but there is speculation and a temporal correlation."

However, as the remarks stirred controversy, Lee met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "We must gather all the capabilities within the party to overcome this chaotic situation," and "It is all in the past now," attempting to calm the situation.

Jeong said, "I don't think Lee Jae-myung intended it differently," adding, "When I am with Leader Lee in a comfortable setting, he sometimes suddenly talks about old stories. I think this is how this remark came about." He continued, "There was much debate about when the prosecution would request the warrant, and since it was requested at the most difficult time, some raised suspicions," adding, "But nothing was confirmed, and even if there were suspicions, making such statements publicly was inappropriate."