"Rider Who Rides Ddareungi, Not a Leader" Jeong Cheong-rae Mocks 'Lee Jun-seok Risk'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, mocked Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, saying, "He is not the leader of the People Power Party. He is just a rider riding a ddareungi (public rental bike) with no followers." This criticism came amid controversy over Lee's leadership crisis, including his recent reversal of the ruling and opposition leaders' agreement on nationwide disaster relief funds.

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

On the 13th, Jeong posted a Facebook article titled "Lee Jun-seok Risk," meticulously pointing out Lee's recent controversial actions such as calls to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Unification, qualification exams for public office candidates, and disputes over his historical views.

Jeong said, "The Lee Jun-seok risk is not an unexpected accident. It might even be a foreseeable accident," adding, "(Lee) even said that elected politicians should take qualification exams. This infringes on the suffrage guaranteed by the Constitution. It is exam-centrism and academic elitism."

He continued, "He suddenly brought up abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. There was backlash even within the party, and stubbornly, he also proposed abolishing the Ministry of Unification," adding, "What is the reason? Nothing has been done. It's just 'It's a waste of money. Let's abolish it.' This is golden-centrism and discriminatory meritocracy."

He also criticized Lee's historical perspective controversy, saying, "The US military government, as stated in MacArthur's proclamation, cannot exercise governing authority unless it is an occupying force. Lee Jun-seok called it a garrison force. This shows ignorance of historical facts."

Jeong pointed out, "According to this logic, since there is no war, the Ministry of National Defense budget is also wasteful," sarcastically adding, "Since the huge national subsidies are a waste, abolish the People Power Party, which has no cost-effectiveness."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, are greeting each other after a dinner meeting at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeong criticized, "Lee Jun-seok agreed with Song Young-gil (Democratic Party leader) on nationwide disaster relief funds but reversed the decision within three hours. Among People Power Party members, complaints like 'Who are you to make agreements without prior discussion?' are erupting like a volcano."

He added, "He is having a hard time trying to pick up the spilled water," and said, "Lee Jun-seok is no longer the leader of the People Power Party. He is just a rider riding a ddareungi (public rental bike) with no followers."

Earlier, the chief spokespersons of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party announced that the ruling and opposition leaders agreed on the payment of nationwide disaster relief funds during a meeting on the 12th. However, backlash erupted within the People Power Party, which had been advocating for selective payments, and Lee reversed his position 1 hour and 40 minutes later, saying, "Support small business owners first and then expand to the entire population with the remaining funds."

Facing criticism, Lee explained at a press conference on the 13th, "I negotiated based on two party policies: expanding support for small business owners and minimizing support for consumption promotion," adding, "It was more of a political guideline than a definitive agreement."

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