Jung Cheong-rae, a former leader of the Democratic Party, expressed regret on August 27 over remarks made by current leader Kim Min-seok during a party workshop, where Kim indicated a difference of opinion with Jung. This incident is likely to reignite factional conflicts within the party that surfaced during the last party convention.
After leaving the '2026 National Assembly Workshop' held at the Inspire Hotel in Incheon, Jung took to Facebook to state, "I regret that my name was used as a tool for his argument during today’s workshop." He criticized Kim for using him as a means to present his views.
Jung further stated, "To mention the name of a competitor from the party convention to assert a one-sided claim is almost violent. This approach to discussion is anti-dialogue and counterproductive. Where is the justification for declaring an uncompromising stance so publicly?" he condemned.
Earlier, during his opening remarks at the workshop, Kim had stated, "Jung is a representative proponent of the idea that there is no center. In contrast, I and President Lee Jae-myung believe that expanding our traditional support base to include moderate conservatives is necessary and unavoidable." He asserted that there are fundamental differences in their views.
Kim emphasized, "While there may be misunderstandings that can be resolved through dialogue with Jung, the issues surrounding the center and 'structural majority' are matters of judgment. I have come to a provisional conclusion that it is difficult to reach a compromise on these points."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.