President Lee and Representative Jeong were originally part of Jeong Dongyoung's circle
A 20-year bond formed as core members of "Jeongtongdeul"
Subtle tension between the Presidential Office and the party draws attention
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After the appearance of leader Jeong Cheongrae, a subtle tension has emerged between the Presidential Office and the Democratic Party. Despite the bold claim that "the Presidential Office and the party are united as one," differences in the speed and scope of reforms and the timing of policies have become apparent. When asked recently about the relationship between President Lee Jaemyung and leader Jeong Cheongrae, a Democratic Party lawmaker replied, "They are like strangers." The lawmaker added, "Although they have known each other for a long time, there was rarely a time when their relationship was special." It seemed to suggest that while they are well acquainted, their personal relationship is not particularly close.
In fact, President Lee Jaemyung, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, and Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung share a long-standing relationship. President Lee and leader Jeong were core members of 'Jeongtongdeul' (People Connected with Jeong Dongyoung), which was launched at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall on January 21, 2007. President Lee was the inaugural chairman of 'Jeongtongdeul.' In other words, both President Lee and leader Jeong were originally 'Jeong Dongyoung's people.'
On the 2nd, President Lee Jae-myung is seen smiling while listening to Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-young's remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News
The person who recommended President Lee as the first chairman of 'Jeongtongdeul' was Lee Sangho, former chairman of the Democratic Party's Busan Saha-eul district, who was well known in Nosamo (the group supporting Roh Moo-hyun) under the pen name 'Mikiruk.' President Lee was active in 'Jeongtongdeul' under the username 'Ibyeon' (meaning 'Attorney Lee'). Lee Sangho was the actual leader who created 'Jeongtongdeul' based on the 'Peace Economy Forum.' According to a person familiar with the circumstances at the time, "The three core members of 'Jeongtongdeul' were Lee Jaemyung, Jeong Cheongrae, and Lee Sangho." Lee Sangho became distanced from politics after the Supreme Court sentenced him to one year and six months in prison for bribery in 2021.
Thanks to the efforts of 'Mikiruk' and others, when Minister Jeong Dongyoung became the Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 2007, President Lee was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for Jeong Dongyoung's election campaign committee. At that time, President Lee, Lee Jaekyung, the former chief secretary to the National Assembly Speaker, and Shin Hyeongu, the current head of the Gwangju Economic Promotion and Job Foundation, served as deputy chiefs of staff. President Lee later served as the party's deputy spokesperson under leader Jeong Segyun, before becoming mayor of Seongnam in 2010.
On August 28, President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, after completing their visits to Japan and the United States. They greeted Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, who came to welcome them. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Leader Jeong Cheongrae met 'Mikiruk' while active in Nosamo. In his autobiography, "Only People Can Create a World for People," leader Jeong wrote about his encounter with Lee Sangho as follows: "After the 2002 presidential election, I met him at the academy I ran in Mapo around noon, and we talked for 16 hours straight. Through Nosamo and through Mikiruk, I was re-educated. He was like a volcano to me." Leader Jeong ran for the National Assembly in Mapo-eul, Seoul, after receiving the nomination under Jeong Dongyoung's Uri Party leadership, and became a lawmaker in 2004. In 2005, together with Lee Sangho and others, he led the National Participation Solidarity (Gukchamyeon), which transformed Nosamo into a political force. At the time, leader Jeong was known as part of the 'DY (Jeong Dongyoung) faction.'
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As such, the relationship between Lee Jaemyung, Jeong Dongyoung, and Jeong Cheongrae began with Nosamo and solidified with 'Jeongtongdeul.' Afterwards, Minister Jeong experienced political ups and downs, leader Jeong advanced to the National Assembly, and President Lee became mayor of Seongnam. While their ties continued, they started to diverge after the 2017 presidential election. When President Lee ran for president, he began to establish his own independent political base. Now, one is president, another is the ruling party leader, and the leader who once guided them has become a minister again after 20 years. The future of the '20-year relationship' between President Lee and leader Jeong is drawing attention.
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