Jeong Cheong-rae Criticizes Jo Eun-san: "Is It Dyslexia... Unlike Migratory Birds, I'm a Dedicated Party Member"

Jeong Cheong-rae, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 22nd, Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, refuted the prediction made by Jin-in (塵人) Jo Eun-san, known for his 'Seven Proposals for the New Year,' who said that Jeong would "soon be disciplined and take the path of leaving the party," calling it a "wrong interpretation."

On the same day, Jeong posted on his Facebook under the title "Correcting your interpretation," stating, "I appreciate that you interpreted me as a person of conviction, but the prediction that I would be disciplined and leave the party because I am a person of conviction is wrong."

Earlier, Jo Eun-san wrote on his blog that Jeong was "a person of conviction who speaks frankly, comparable to former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop," and claimed that Jeong's previous remark, "Politicians worry about the next generation, while political schemers worry about the next election," was an indirect criticism of Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province.

Jo also sarcastically said, "It is surprising that there are still lawmakers in the Democratic Party with such insight," and added, "Soon, Jeong Cheong-rae will be disciplined and follow the process of leaving the party for going against the party line. If that happens, I would like to recommend him to join the People's Party."

In response, Jeong emphasized, "I have already been unfairly disciplined for the crime of public intimidation (a public-spirited reprimand), and I was unfairly cut off from running in the 20th general election, but I did not leave the party. Instead, I formed the 'The Cut Campaign Team' and campaigned to support candidates who received nominations. I am a loyal party member."

He continued, "Interpreting my remarks as criticism of Governor Lee Jae-myung is an excessive case of misreading," and said, "The political schemers I criticized are not Governor Lee but the Kim Jong-in types who switch parties for their own advancement, and the old-fashioned political opportunists who leave and join parties for election purposes. I consider lawmaker Geum Tae-seop to be in this category as well."

He added, "I think Governor Lee Jae-myung is a politician who worries about the next generation and raises controversial topics for the sake of the next generation, even if he is criticized right now."

Jeong advised Jo Eun-san, saying, "When a scholar's brush swings, the brush must be broken. Without skill, one lacks insight to see the world clearly, and with poor eyesight, one cannot distinguish heaven and earth." He warned, "Gokhak-ase (曲學阿世, meaning bending one's principles to flatter the world) is the virtue that scholars must guard against most."

He added, "You told me to join the People's Party, but I would refuse even if they brought me a truckload of it."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.