[Lee Jae Myung's Powerhouse] "Invincible" Assemblyman Jeong Seongho [AK Radio]

President Lee Jae Myung's '38-Year Close Friend'
Moderate and Rational Personality, Unafraid to Speak Frankly
"My Goal Is to Advise for the Success of the Lee Jae Myung Administration"

The person most frequently cited as "Lee Jae Myung's powerhouse" is Assemblyman Jeong Seongho. He was born in 1961 in Yanggu, Gangwon Province. His father was a career soldier who served as a sergeant in the Army. Jeong completed his military service as a psychological operations officer in the Army's 3rd Division (Baekgol Unit), and his son also fulfilled his duty as a sergeant, making theirs a family renowned for military service. After finishing elementary school, he moved to Seoul, where he graduated from Dankook Middle School, Daeshin High School, and the Seoul National University School of Law. During his university years, he was active in the student movement.

He passed the 28th National Judicial Examination and completed the 18th class at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. His classmates included President Lee Jae Myung, Assemblyman Park Heeseung of the Democratic Party of Korea, former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Oh Kwangsoo, former Chief Prosecutor Kang Chanwoo, former Constitutional Court Justice Moon Hyungbae, former Prosecutor General Moon Mooil, former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, and former assemblymen Moon Byungho and Choi Wonsik. Jeong met President Lee Jae Myung during his time at the training institute, maintaining a "38-year relationship" to this day. Their first meeting was in March 1987, at the Labor Law Society within the institute. In a media interview, Jeong described his first impression of President Lee as "a spirited trainee burning with a sense of justice."

Jeong had a significant impact on President Lee's life path. Although Jeong completed the training institute with grades high enough to become a judge or prosecutor, he chose to open a law practice, aspiring to engage in environmental activism and civic organizations. President Lee, who had dreamed of becoming a prosecutor, changed his mind after hearing about Jeong's plans. Regarding this, Jeong once said in a media interview, "President Lee said, 'You persuaded me to become a lawyer, and that's why I've had such a hard time,' to which I replied, 'If you had become a prosecutor, you would have spent a few years as a tough prosecutor and then gone on to live an ordinary life.'"

Jeong Seongho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

After his civic activism, Jeong entered politics at the age of 39 and is now a five-term assemblyman representing the Dongducheon-Yangju-Yeoncheon constituency in Gyeonggi Province. He has served as chairman of both the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts and the Strategy and Finance Committee, and although he ran for floor leader, he was not elected. He also ran for Speaker of the National Assembly in 2024 but withdrew midway. He now says his goal is to provide advice from a distance to help ensure the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration.

He received the "Baekbong Gentleman Award," given to assembly members recognized for exemplary and rational legislative activity. His nicknames include "Pro-Lee Jae Myung Leader" and "Invincible." He is called the "Pro-Lee Jae Myung Leader" because he chaired the "Group of Seven" (Jeong Seongho, Kim Youngjin, Moon Jinseok, Kim Byungwook, Kim Namkook, Lim Jongseong, Lee Gyumin), a gathering of lawmakers who closely supported President Lee.

Why is he called "Invincible"? There are two reasons. First, his moderate and rational demeanor?he speaks without raising his voice?means he has no enemies. Second, it relates to "fitness." While attending Seoul National University School of Law, Jeong was active in the weightlifting club and has been dedicated to strength training ever since. Even now, he is said to be proud of his abdominal muscles. This is also why, when Assemblyman Kim Sangwook left the People Power Party to join the Democratic Party, Jeong was reportedly the most welcoming?Kim Sangwook is also known for his abs. The nickname "Invincible" originated from the idea that he is unrivaled when it comes to abdominal muscles.

President Lee Jae Myung calls Assemblyman Jung "hyung" in private. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

President Lee calls Assemblyman Jeong "hyung" (older brother) in private. Jeong, who shakes his head at the term "faction," is one of the few people who can speak candidly to President Lee, even when it is something he may not want to hear. President Lee has said, "Jeong is not part of the Lee Jae Myung faction; rather, Lee Jae Myung is part of the Jeong Seongho faction," underscoring the deep trust he places in Jeong. The most important reason Jeong is considered "Lee Jae Myung's powerhouse" is precisely this extraordinary trust from the president.

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