Jeong Cheongrae and Park Chandae, who are competing for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, both firmly stated that there is "no possibility" of cooperation with the People Power Party.
Park Chandae (left) and Jung Chungrae, candidates running for the Democratic Party of Korea leadership election, shake hands before the start of the second television debate on the afternoon of the 27th at the KBS New Building Public Hall in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group Yonhap News
On the afternoon of July 27, during a Democratic Party leadership candidate debate held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, candidate Jeong was asked by the moderator, "Among the People Power Party leadership candidates running in next month's party convention, is there anyone you think you would work well with?" Jeong replied unequivocally, "I don't think there is any party leader who would be a good match for me."
Jeong added, "It seems likely that Kim Moonsu will become the leader, but eradicating rebellion takes priority over cooperation. In the past, the Unified Progressive Party was dissolved simply on charges of conspiracy to commit rebellion. I believe the People Power Party, to which former President Yoon Sukyeol belonged, is a hundred or even a thousand times more serious in its alleged complicity in rebellion than the Unified Progressive Party ever was."
Park also stated, "I don't think there is anyone who qualifies as a counterpart for cooperation," and added, "If someone emerges who is willing to dismantle the People Power Party and build a new party from scratch, perhaps then it might be possible. But as of now, there is absolutely no possibility of cooperation or negotiation with forces complicit in rebellion."
When the moderator asked both candidates to describe the relationship between President Lee Jaemyung and the ruling party leader in one phrase, Jeong answered, "They are a community of destiny and a mutually complementary relationship, like teeth and lips that protect each other." Park said, "Like cement and sand, they have great value only when they are well mixed together."
Earlier, in his opening statement at the debate, Park said, "I am fighting alongside the people, for example by taking the lead in proposing a special law to end rebellion," and added, "I will scratch where the people itch, and the party, government, and president will work together as 'one team.'"
Jeong commented, "Recently, I saw the sad eyes of citizens left devastated at a flood recovery site. I will become a reformist party leader who laughs and cries with the people," and added, "Just as I did when I chaired the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, I will lead the party boldly and decisively to ensure the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."
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