The Democratic Party is experiencing ongoing internal conflict regarding the future of leader Jung Cheong-rae as tensions reach a peak on June 15. Calls for Jung to resign for a fair leadership convention have intensified, alongside suggestions that he should refrain from seeking re-election.
On this day, some lawmakers launched a campaign against Jung, who is expected to run in the party's leadership convention scheduled for August.
Representative Kim Nam-hee stated on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show," "In light of the accountability issues surrounding Jung since the local elections, if he intends to seek re-election, he should resign now and face public evaluation. It is inappropriate for him to remain in the position of party leader without clarifying his intentions regarding the leadership race."
Representative Park Ji-won argued that Jung should abandon his bid for re-election by not participating in the convention. Speaking on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show," Park said, "Personally, I have expressed this view. It would be appropriate for Jung to take full responsibility and resign, allowing the public and party members to judge him through the convention."
Following the local elections on June 3, discussions about leadership accountability have focused on Jung's position. Additionally, Jung's comment, "The people are eternal, but the regime is short-lived," raised suspicions that it was directed at President Lee Jae-myung. In response, President Lee emphasized the ruling party's responsibilities, further escalating internal conflicts within the party.
In light of the controversy surrounding Jung's remarks, Kang Deuk-gu, a prominent member of the pro-Lee faction, responded on June 12, stating, "While the people and party members are eternal, party leadership is fleeting."
Other pro-Lee members, including Representatives Lee Yong-woo and Jo Gye-won, also criticized Jung on June 13 and 14, respectively, expressing concerns that the leadership should not further burden the government and urging Jung to declare his intention to align with the pro-Lee faction due to differing views with the president.
In response, members of the pro-Jung faction struck back. Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok criticized pro-Lee candidate Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister, on June 12, saying, "It is not urgent work for someone representing the country to give speeches and take photos at a workshop for elected officials during the president's overseas trip."
Additionally, Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae stated on June 14 that while it is inappropriate to narrow President Lee's message to a specific leadership, he understands it as an emphasis on the ruling party's accountability.
Meanwhile, Jung is expected to announce his decision regarding participation in the leadership convention soon. After the Supreme Council meeting on June 15, he nodded silently when reporters inquired about his future plans.
In this context, Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun remarked after the Supreme Council meeting, "While everyone may have their own intentions ahead of the convention, I hope we can overcome our differences."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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