Jeong Cheongrae Urges "Surrender and Seek Leniency" Over Assassination Plot Reports... Democratic Party Requests Police Investigation

Democratic Party Requests Personal Protection

"Already a Serious Disruption of Election Campaigns"

Lee Wontak and Kim Kwanyeong Candidates: "Plotting Terrorism Is a Serious Crime"

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the recent allegations of a terror plot targeting himself, stating, "It is devastating to think that things have come to this point." He called on those involved to surrender to the authorities and promised leniency if they turn themselves in and show remorse. The Democratic Party has requested an investigation and personal protection from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Jeong Cheong-rae, the Chief Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at the inauguration ceremony of the election office for Park Ji-won, Democratic Party candidate for the by-election in Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan, Jeonbuk Province, on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of May 17, after attending Sunday Mass at Nabawi Cathedral in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, Jeong met with reporters and said, "If anyone has planned or conspired to commit a serious crime with malicious intent, I urge you to surrender to the authorities, reflect on your wrongdoing, and sincerely promise never to do such a thing again while appealing for leniency."

He further stated, "Just plotting a terrorist act, recruiting an assassination team, or applying to join such a group is a serious crime in itself," adding, "There is no crime worse than terrorism."

Kang Jun-hyun, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party’s Central Election Committee, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly earlier that morning, saying, "With only four days before the official start of the election campaign, we have received multiple reports that group terror plots are being planned in social media group chats." He continued, "Yesterday, the party officially requested the police to conduct a swift investigation and to provide thorough personal protection."

When asked if any particular region or group had been identified in connection with the terror plot, he replied, "An investigation is needed to determine that."

According to Spokesperson Kang, messages have been circulating in social media group chats about people applying to join the so-called 'Jeong Cheong-rae Assassination Squad.'

Kang emphasized, "If Jeong's activities are restricted due to this terror plot, it constitutes political violence and intimidation that harms the future of South Korea." He added, "Inducing someone to act cautiously out of internalized fear is already a serious interference in election campaigning."

Other Democratic Party candidates also expressed their concerns. The campaign committee for Lee Wontae, a Democratic Party candidate, issued a statement saying, "The indications of a terror or assassination plot against Jeong on social media pose a grave challenge to democracy," expressing deep shock and strong concern.

The campaign committee for independent candidate Kim Kwan-young also released a commentary, stating, "Violence in a liberal democracy is a serious crime," and agreed with the Democratic Party chief spokesperson’s call for strict punishment of terrorist acts.

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