Jung Bong-ju: "I Will Eradicate 'Lee Jae-myung Fawning' Within the Democratic Party"

Jeong Bong-ju, a candidate for the Supreme Council member in the 8.18 National Party Members' Convention to elect the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "I will cut out those who exploit former leader Lee Jae-myung's name for self-serving politics and power plays."

On the morning of the 12th, Jeong held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, declaring, "I will root out the faction that exploits Lee Jae-myung," and claimed, "They have continuously divided the party internally and labeled their competitors as enemies while pretending to support Lee Jae-myung, causing party fragmentation." He added, "Party members who care about the party are boiling inside even though they know this," emphasizing, "We must cut out the internal cancerous lumps, the 'Myeong-pali (Lee Jae-myung exploiters).” He further stated, "The biggest obstacle to regime change lies within our party."

Jeong Bong-ju, candidate for Supreme Council member.
Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

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When asked who the 'Lee Jae-myung exploiters' are, he replied, "They are people everyone knows, and those who get riled up after watching this press conference." He added, "After the party convention ends, their true nature will be revealed, and genuine party reform will begin." Regarding specific targets and methods of reform, he said, "I will speak about that after the convention," and "It is not yet the right time to take full action."

In response to whether former leader Lee could also be a subject of reform, Jeong said, "My affection for him and belief in him as a leading presidential candidate of the party have not changed at all, neither before nor now." He also stated, "No matter what anyone says, former leader Lee is the Democratic Party's greatest asset and the biggest possibility for reclaiming power."

Regarding the recent controversy over the 'Lee Jae-myung backtalk,' he mentioned, "Since it was a private conversation, there is some exaggeration about the truth." He also clarified, "The Supreme Council makes many key party decisions, and I am saying I will not just be a rubber stamp." Previously, former Justice Party lawmaker Park Won-seok appeared on SBS Radio on the 8th and revealed, "(Jeong said) 'I just need to be in the top five,' and added, 'The Supreme Council operates by unanimous consent; just wait and see what I do once I get in.'"

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