Democratic Party Leadership Race Framed as "Kim Eo-jun vs. President Lee," Claims Emerge from Ruling Bloc

Seo Yongju, Former Democratic Party Spokesperson, Speaks on Channel A Radio
"Kim Eo-jun's Supporters Back Jung Chung Rae, Lee Jae Myung's Supporters Back Park Chan Dae"
Jung Chung Rae: "It Doesn't Matter If Park Chan Dae Becomes Party Leader"

There has been a claim that the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader election is shaping up as a confrontation between "Kim Eo-jun and President Lee Jae Myung." On June 18, Seo Yongju, former full-time deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party, responded to a question during an interview on Channel A's radio show "Political Signal" regarding reports that supporters are divided between Assemblyman Jung Chung Rae, who is running for party leader, and former floor leader Park Chan Dae. Seo stated, "That is indeed the current atmosphere." He added, "Supporters of broadcaster Kim Eo-jun tend to strongly back Assemblyman Jung, while supporters of President Lee Jae Myung are siding with Assemblyman Park," and argued, "The confrontation has become quite interesting."

In September last year, Lee Jae Myung, then leader of the Democratic Party, Park Chan Dae, floor leader, and Jung Chung Rae, member of the National Assembly, are conversing during an economic sector interpellation session held at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Seo further explained, "Hardcore supporters support both Assemblyman Jung and former floor leader Park," but interpreted, "The phenomenon of Park's supporters attacking Assemblyman Jung, and Jung's supporters attacking Assemblyman Park, appears to be a reflection of the rivalry between Kim Eo-jun and President Lee."

He continued, "During the (Democratic Party) floor leader election, Kim Byung Ki, the newly elected floor leader, and Seo Young Kyo competed, but at that time, there were sufficient conditions for either candidate to work well with President Lee, so it didn't matter who won. The party leader election, however, is peculiar. Both Assemblyman Park and Assemblyman Jung belong to the pro-Lee Jae Myung (pro-Lee) group, but supporters perceive former floor leader Park as being the closest to President Lee." He added, "Although Assemblyman Jung is a bit more distant from President Lee, he is a former chief supreme council member who has closely assisted and supported him."

Seo also noted, "Currently, the level of attacks against Assemblyman Jung is intensifying," and said, "Both are capable of closely assisting President Lee and can help establish a healthy relationship between the party and the government through checks and balances, so I hope party members will make their choice in the spirit of fair competition."

He went on to say, "Some are digging up Assemblyman Jung's past remarks and questioning whether he truly loves President Lee, while others are attacking former floor leader Park from the opposite side. I hope this does not continue," adding, "Both belong to the same camp, so targeting, slandering, spreading hatred, or fabricating facts simply because one does not personally favor a candidate does not help the Democratic Party, which is now the ruling party."

Assemblyman Chung Cheongrae appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eojun's Humility Is Hard News Factory.' YouTube

The Democratic Party will hold a national convention on August 2 to elect its next party leader. This convention is a by-election triggered by the resignation of former party leader President Lee in April to run for the presidential election. The party will also elect a new Supreme Council member to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Prime Minister nominee Kim Min Seok. The terms of the party leader and Supreme Council member elected this time will run until August next year. Assemblyman Jung declared his candidacy for party leader even before the convention schedule was finalized. Former floor leader Park is also expected to announce his candidacy soon.

On June 17, during an interview on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard News Factory," Assemblyman Jung said, "(Former floor leader Park) is likely to run. I have spoken with him," and added, "It does not matter if Assemblyman Park becomes party leader." He continued, "I once wondered if I would ever make a friend after high school with whom I could share such friendship, but I found such a friend after becoming a member of the National Assembly," and said, "For this election, I hope we can campaign in a way we have never done before, with the attitude that 'it does not matter if Park Chan Dae becomes party leader,' and Assemblyman Park saying, 'it does not matter if Jung Chung Rae becomes party leader.'"