Jung Jin-seok: "It Is the Ruling Party's Duty to Help the Yoon Government Succeed... Lee Jun-seok Should Make a Wise Decision" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Jeong Jin-seok, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly who accepted the position of the new Emergency Response Committee Chairperson of the People Power Party, explained his reason for acceptance, saying, "It is the ruling party's duty to help the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which is still on the runway, to take off."

On the afternoon of the 7th, Deputy Speaker Jeong held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "For the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and to stabilize the ruling party, I will fulfill the responsibilities as the ruling party," adding, "That is the cause and patriotism entrusted to me today."

He expressed deep apologies to party members and the public for the current internal turmoil, stating, "I am deeply sorry to the party members and the people for the current confusion within the party," and pledged, "I will gather the consensus of party members to stabilize the party as soon as possible and establish a firm center for the party."

He further explained, "Although many call the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson a 'poisoned chalice,' I thought it was no longer something to avoid," citing "the unlimited responsibility for the ruling party's governance." Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong revealed that he had considered Deputy Speaker Jeong as the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson from the beginning and succeeded in persuading him after visiting three times.

Deputy Speaker Jeong said, "I will get the ruling party to pull itself together so that the Yoon administration can work with all its might," and added, "I will swiftly reorganize the party and help the Yoon administration vigorously push off the runway and take flight."

Regarding his initial refusal of Floor Leader Kwon's request, he confessed, "Because there are many good people besides me, I thought it would be better to give new people a chance," and admitted, "I also questioned myself countless times whether it was appropriate for me to step forward amid the conflicts exposed as 'Yoon core officials' and so on."

He explained, "Since there was no other choice, I could not just leisurely stay in the background and watch," and emphasized, "At this moment, my national cause is, in any case, to fulfill the responsibility as the ruling party."

Deputy Speaker Jeong has previously been involved in controversies due to verbal exchanges with former party leader Lee Jun-seok. He urged Lee, "If you love the party, please make wise decisions to prevent continued division and conflict."

Although he has not recently spoken with former leader Lee, he said, "There is no reason not to meet anyone," leaving open the possibility of a meeting. Deputy Speaker Jeong stated, "To stabilize and normalize the party and recharge the engine of newly united energy, I am willing to do anything," adding, "I have never been a faction-biased politician and have always tried to maintain balance by prioritizing the spirit of unity, so I believe I have no obstacles in talking with anyone."

There has been criticism regarding his concurrent holding of the Deputy Speaker and Emergency Response Committee Chairperson positions. In response, Deputy Speaker Jeong said, "My (Deputy Speaker) term lasts until December 31, but I will listen to opinions within the party." Regarding the timing of Floor Leader Kwon's resignation, he said, "A new floor leader will be elected within this month."

The People Power Party plans to complete the launch of the Emergency Response Committee before Chuseok. Regarding the plan to select Emergency Response Committee members, Deputy Speaker Jeong said, "Since the Emergency Response Committee is scheduled to launch tomorrow afternoon, we need to hurry," and added, "I will go in now and consider it."

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