Jeong Cheong-rae on Ahn Cheol-soo's Candidacy Declaration: "A Desperate Measure to Boost Presence... Defeat Is Also a Habit"

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae questioning at the Education Committee's Petition Review Subcommittee on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said about Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, declaring his candidacy for the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election, "He will not be able to complete the race."

On the 19th, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "After (Ahn’s) declaration of candidacy, his approval ratings will not be very high, and over time, he will get caught up in controversies over unifying opposition candidates," he said.

Jeong criticized, "It is a desperate move to declare candidacy to revive the declining party power of the People’s Party and its diminishing presence."

He added, "Entering the race indiscriminately regardless of weight class does not increase the winning rate. Only records of defeat accumulate. Defeat also becomes a habit," he pointed out.

Jeong said, "He ran for president and lost, ran for Seoul mayor and lost, and now again for Seoul mayor. What is his goal?" and predicted, "In the brinkmanship of the unification front, can he really complete the race? I think it will be difficult."

He then remarked, "A falling bird still has wings. A monkey remains a monkey even if it falls from a tree. But a politician who keeps losing elections faces only a lonely exit."

He pointed out, "There are candidates who run indiscriminately every election," calling it "habitual candidacy regardless of winning or losing."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Ahn unexpectedly declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election scheduled for April next year, contrary to his long-held position of 'not running for Seoul mayor and challenging the presidential election the year after next.'

Ahn said, "We must stop the Moon Jae-in administration’s reckless actions at the Seoul mayoral by-election next year."

Ahn plans to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on the 20th at the National Assembly Communication Office to explain in detail the reasons for his candidacy declaration.

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