Jin Jeong-seok: "Not a Power Struggle with Lee Jun-seok... Words from a Senior Politician Out of Concern"

Jin Jeong-seok, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 8th, Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party who served as the Deputy Speaker of the 21st National Assembly in the first half, dismissed the internal party conflict with party leader Lee Jun-seok as "speculation," saying, "Isn't it possible for me, as a senior politician, to speak out of concern to encourage better performance? I hope it is understood in that spirit."

In an interview with KBS Radio on the same day, Rep. Jeong explained, "As the longest-serving member, I am here, and unless I am a walking corpse, I speak when necessary. I have no ill feelings toward Lee Jun-seok, nor is this a power struggle within the party."

He added, "When there are opinions from various party members and lawmakers, I convey those opinions on their behalf. Nothing more, nothing less," and firmly stated, "The media tends to overinterpret or speculate, but I do not engage in such politics." He continued, "Well, (Lee) could have gone to Ukraine, but was it a priority to be the first to rush there right after the local elections? Rather, shouldn't we first reflect on the public sentiment expressed in the local elections, which raised expectations for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and as the ruling party, discuss how to solidly support the Yoon administration? That is the responsibility and role of the ruling party."

Rep. Jeong expressed regret that a forum to discuss the ruling party's role and vision to support the Yoon administration should have been prioritized. He said, "We need to organize various legislative bills around policy agendas, and I believe we should have in-depth discussions across multiple fields regarding the direction the Yoon administration aims for."

Regarding Lee's visit to Ukraine, he explained, "It is not just a matter of humanitarian concern, but since it is a war with Russia, it involves sensitive interests on the Korean Peninsula. I expressed that I hope more careful consideration is given from the perspective of national interest."

About the Innovation Committee launched by Lee, he added, "It's not bad, but he just threw out the topic and then went to Ukraine, so I wonder what kind of innovation that is."

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