Jung Se-kyun's Side: "No Unification with Lee Nak-yeon... Jung Se-kyun's Time Has Begun"

Jeong Se-gyun, a presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a policy meeting for bus transportation workers at the National Federation of Automobile Workers' Unions on Nonhyeon-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 29th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 2nd, the camp of former Prime Minister and ruling party presidential candidate Jeong Se-gyun predicted a rise in approval ratings, stating that "Jeong Se-gyun is the biggest variable in this primary" regarding the analysis of the presidential race. Regarding the possibility of unification with former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon raised by some, they firmly drew a line, saying "There will be no unification."

Kim Min-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker and political coordination chairman of Jeong Se-gyun's campaign, said at a press briefing analyzing the presidential race held at the Yongsan Building in Yeouido on the same day, "Whether there is an increase, the extent of the increase, whether there is a reversal, and what attitude will be taken toward Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former leader Lee will affect the primary," expressing this view.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim said, "The rise of former Prime Minister Jeong ultimately means that a candidate who has passed the verification process and has no moral issues will emerge, so he will become a direct target of the opposition," emphasizing, "The so-called 'Big 3 (Lee Jae-myung, Lee Nak-yeon, Jeong Se-gyun)' three-way battle has truly begun."

Regarding Governor Lee and former leader Lee, he said, "Former leader Lee temporarily rose during the two weeks of the preliminary primary thanks to Governor Lee's decline, but both candidates have now started to stagnate," adding, "This is interpreted as reflecting the exhaustion of the factors driving their rise and disappointment with the previous conflicts between the two candidates." About former Prosecutor General Yoon, he observed, "He declined over two weeks but showed a temporary rise after joining the party, as revealed in recent polls. This is temporary, so it is expected to decline again soon."

Kim summarized, "Combining these situations, it can be concluded that change has begun. The reason is that doubts have arisen about the candidate who has secured the four core verification elements: morality, identity, policy, and winning the general election," highlighting former Prime Minister Jeong's strong performance.

Regarding the unification with former leader Lee raised by some, he said, "There will be no unification with former leader Lee. Only a runoff remains," adding, "I will speak again after creating an upset following the first round."

As a primary strategy, he said, "We expect an upset in Chungcheong," adding, "We will concentrate all candidates and lawmaker organizations in Chungcheong. This primary upset will start in Chungcheong." Since the Democratic Party's first regional tour primary will be held in Chungcheong, the strategy is to attempt a "turnaround" there. Former Prime Minister Jeong has focused intensively on targeting the Chungcheong region, proposing the 'New Capital Area Plan' centered on completing the administrative capital.

Kim said, "With the organizational base of Chungnam Governor Yang Seung-jo and lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae, who have already expressed support, and succeeding Chungbuk Governor Lee Si-jong, who proposed the Gangho Axis, a core part of the New Capital Area pledge, we will create an upset based on consensus."

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