"Party's Root" Jeong Jin-seok Reaffirms New Airport Promise Finding TK... Ju Ho-young Absent

Daegu·Gyeongbuk On-Site Emergency Committee
"Will Spare No Budget or Policy Support
for Integrated New Airport Construction"
Joo Ho-young Did Not Attend
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions Among Party Leadership Candidates

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region on the 13th and promised to drop a "budget bomb." He began a nationwide tour schedule to restore trust and approval ratings that had fallen due to conflicts with former leader Lee Jun-seok, starting by managing the People Power Party's stronghold.

At the on-site emergency committee meeting held at the Daegu City Party Office that morning, Chairman Jeong mentioned the enactment of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport Special Act and various national budget projects, saying, "Since these are matters actively being reviewed by the party's Policy Committee and Budget and Accounts Committee, we will not spare the necessary budget and policy support."

Specifically, he cited key issues such as the enactment of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport Special Act, the incorporation of Gunwi County into Daegu Metropolitan City, passing the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for the national robot test field and securing national budget, reflecting the national budget for eco-friendly riverside development of the Geumho River, and securing national budget for the construction of the advanced medical technology Med Valley.

Chairman Jeong's budget bomb pledge is because support from the People Power Party's base is crucial for national governance. He repeatedly praised Daegu-Gyeongbuk, saying, "The roots of our party are Daegu-Gyeongbuk," and "In moments of crisis, Daegu-Gyeongbuk has been the last stronghold where our party could revive." He also mentioned each member of the People Power Party leadership from the TK region by name and repeatedly expressed gratitude.

Within the party, criticism has been raised that it may be inappropriate for Chairman Jeong, who is mentioned as a potential party leader candidate, to promote the party convention while touring nationwide. A People Power Party official said, "He cannot set up and then run in the party convention himself," and added, "He will not be free from criticism that he is using the emergency committee for his political position." However, the prevailing view is that Chairman Jeong, who must revise the rules for holding the party convention, has little justification to run for party leader.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 11th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Another point of interest was that Joo Ho-young, the floor leader who is also mentioned as a candidate for party leader, did not attend the on-site emergency committee meeting that day. Floor Leader Joo is a member of the National Assembly from Daegu and forms a party duo with Chairman Jeong. He attended the National Saemaul Leaders Conference held in Seoul. A representative from Floor Leader Joo's side explained, "He had many other schedules already, so it was difficult to attend the on-site meeting," adding, "The roles of the floor leader and the emergency committee chairman are somewhat different, and he also has to act as the control tower for the national audit, so he could not attend this time."

The 'Jeong Jin-seok Emergency Committee' plans to actively promote the new leadership system by touring nationwide by metropolitan units for the time being. An emergency committee official said, "We decided this way because we need to restore trust and calm public sentiment until the next party convention."

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