The Democratic Party has criticized interpretations suggesting that President Lee Jae-myung's recent comments on party accountability were aimed at Jung Cheong-rae, asserting that such interpretations distort the President's intentions.
During a press conference on June 14, Secretary General Cho Seung-rae addressed the President's social media remarks, stating, "There can be various interpretations," but emphasized that "the President is also a member of the ruling party. This message is understood as highlighting the party's accountability rather than targeting specific leadership."
Cho further stated that narrowing the interpretation of the President's comments to target specific leaders, such as Jung, is politically motivated and inappropriate, adding, "Distorting the President's intentions in that manner is not suitable."
He explained that the remarks should be seen in the context of the upcoming party conventions, which will shape the leadership during the remainder of the President's term, indicating that it is appropriate to interpret the message as guidance on how the leadership intends to manage the party.
On June 13, President Lee stated on social media that the ruling party must demonstrate accountability through its ability to manage power, deliver results, and foster inclusivity and unity, thereby presenting a case for the party's responsibility.
Following the release of these comments, some speculated that the message was directed at Jung. In response, Cho officially denied these allegations, emphasizing that there is no conflict between the party and the government.
Additionally, after the Democratic Party's defeat in the Seoul mayoral election during the June 3 local elections, the issue of leadership accountability arose. Cho remarked, "It is inappropriate to say that everyone lost just because we lost Seoul."
He highlighted the party's achievements, noting, "We elected the first female metropolitan mayor and two three-term local government heads. We need to assess how the Democratic Party has produced results. Out of 3,192 candidates who ran in this local election, 2,294 were elected, achieving a 72% success rate."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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