Jung Jin-seok Takes a Step Back: "A Senior Politician's Words Out of Concern"

On the 8th via KBS Radio, "Speculation about Lee Jun-seok's actions is groundless"

Representative Lee Jun-seok of the People Power Party, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong, and other lawmakers are cheering as they watch the exit poll results announced in the vote counting situation room set up in the National Assembly Library auditorium on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party (PPP) who has repeatedly criticized PPP leader Lee Jun-seok's nomination for the local elections and his visit to Ukraine, said, "It is embarrassing that this is being connected to baseless speculation aimed at ousting the leader." This is seen as a step back amid concerns that the issue might escalate into an internal power struggle within the party.

On the 8th, when asked about his relationship with Lee on KBS Radio, Rep. Jeong said, "I was a bit embarrassed that my criticism of the leader's actions was being interpreted as an attempt to bring him down through baseless speculation, but that is not the case." He added, "I have no ill feelings toward the leader, nor am I engaged in a power struggle. I am speaking as a senior politician out of concern, hoping he does better. I hope this is understood in that spirit."

This marks a calmer stance compared to the sharp criticism he made against Lee on the 6th. Through his Facebook, Rep. Jeong had said, "If the leader's visit to Ukraine is nothing more than self-promotion, it is a serious problem," and also mentioned "constituency shopping." However, when Kwon Seong-dong, the PPP floor leader and a pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction member, drew a line by saying, "It is inappropriate to argue about the leader's term," it was interpreted that Rep. Jeong also took a step back.

Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University Graduate School of Policy explained, "If you try to oust a party leader who has just won a major election without a legitimate reason, it is likely to backfire with public opinion. That would also place a heavy burden on the newly launched Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

Leader Lee still expressed a firm stance toward Rep. Jeong. On the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, "As a result of nominating candidates according to principles, we won even in the Chungnam gubernatorial election, which was considered risky." He continued, "The most memorable objection was a request to include someone who failed the PPAT (Public Official Basic Qualification Test) as a proportional representative in the Chungnam nomination. I was told that if that person was not included, the Chungnam gubernatorial election would be at risk, but I did not accept that, and we won the gubernatorial election. We acted according to principles," he emphasized.

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