Jin Jeong-seok: "Lee Jun-seok's 'this XX' remark has no basis... It's time to stop now"

"Yoon Is Not Someone Who Recklessly Makes Remarks... If Lee Is Embraced, It Might Break"
"We Will Support the Yoon Government by Normalizing the Party, Not Worried About Approval Ratings"

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th, and is looking around the meeting room after finishing his remarks.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yoon-jin] Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, on the 13th criticized the claim by former leader Lee's side that President Yoon Seok-yeol called Lee "that XX, this XX," saying, "You should not speak carelessly without providing any evidence."

Chairman Jeong made these remarks while evaluating former leader Lee's statement during a joint interview with Newsis, News1, and Money Today held at the National Assembly Vice Speaker's office on the 13th. He said, "The president is not someone who recklessly utters words. The very act of saying such things is a great disrespect to the president," adding, "It's not just once or twice; they keep intentionally making such claims. It misleads people into thinking the president actually used such language, which is a very malicious act."

When asked if he had any intention to embrace former leader Lee, he responded, "(Lee) said, 'Am I an egg for you to embrace?' I worry it might break if embraced again," replying to Lee's backlash. However, Chairman Jeong expressed hope that the relationship between the party and former leader Lee would not deteriorate, saying, "I hope this stops now. And I sincerely hope former leader Lee gets elected in Nowon District."

Regarding the suggestion that the fate of the Emergency Response Committee would be decided based on the court's injunction hearing on the 28th, he was cautious, saying, "There is a saying that even a bad law is still a law, so a political party cannot reject the court's judgment." Nevertheless, he added, "The court's acceptance of our party's request to change the hearing date is an 'encouraging sign.' Also, I personally think that efforts to amend the party's constitution and regulations to clarify ambiguities about emergency situations and the clear changes in circumstances will be taken into consideration."

The interview also included a Q&A about the new Emergency Response Committee's activity plans. Chairman Jeong said, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government needs to take off vigorously, but there have been some setbacks, for which the party bears significant responsibility. Supporting the Yoon Seok-yeol government to take off strongly and normalizing the party quickly is the primary duty entrusted to Jeong Jin-seok."

Chairman Jeong mentioned the next party convention as the activity deadline for the Emergency Response Committee, explaining, "People might be curious about the timing of the party convention. Once the Emergency Response Committee is fully formed, we plan to discuss it calmly. To hold a party convention, considering the preparation period of at least 50 days counting backward from the day of the convention is necessary."

Regarding President Yoon's approval rating remaining in the 20% range, he emphasized, "It is important to raise approval ratings by showing diligent work. I am not worried at all." He also expressed confidence, saying, "When I served as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs during the Lee Myung-bak administration, the president's approval rating was at its highest. I have experience managing that."

Chairman Jeong continued, "Originally, people from Chungcheong Province have a habit of discerning right and wrong from the middle. I am naturally from Chungcheong," and expressed his ambition, saying, "I take pride in having practiced politics of consensus and integration. Going forward, I will fulfill my role in that manner."

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