Jung Cheong-rae: "It’s extremely rude"… Expresses strong regret towards Kim Yong-tae, Chairman of People's Power Emergency Committee

Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for the leadership position of the Democratic Party of Korea, has directly criticized Kim Yong-tae, the Chairman of the People's Power Emergency Committee.

He reacted sharply to Kim's public demand for President Lee Jae-myung to state his position regarding his trial during an official meeting, stating, "It’s extremely rude."

"Silent on the Jo Hee-dae incident"… Pushback against mentioning the trial in front of the President

On the 22nd, Jung posted on his Facebook, citing reports related to Kim's remarks, criticizing, "He didn’t say a word about the Jo Hee-dae incident, which attempted to strip candidates of their positions during the election. It’s extremely rude." He added a direct remark, "Let's quickly put the insurrection leader in jail."

Previously, on the day before, Kim read a three-page proposal in front of President Lee during a luncheon meeting of the ruling and opposition party leaders held at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

At that meeting, he demanded, "Regarding the trial ongoing since before his term, please trust the judicial branch’s constitutional interpretation entirely, but also promise that the trial will definitely take place after his term if it is postponed."

This showed a determination that he had never displayed when former President Yoon Seok-youl was in power, in front of the current president he invited to the residence.

Kim argued, "The independence of the judiciary and the equality of all citizens before the law are core values that support a democratic republic." He claimed that if the President clearly states his position on this, the public will feel the spirit of the Constitution more tangibly.

Proposed seven policy suggestions… Criticism of supplementary budget and fiscal management

In that meeting, Kim provided a total of seven policy suggestions to the President, in addition to the matter of judicial independence. Among them was concern about the shift from income-led growth during the Moon Jae-in administration to finance-led growth under the Lee Jae-myung administration. He urged, "Since expansionary fiscal policy can stimulate inflation, careful examination is necessary."

He continued his criticism regarding the supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly by the government. Kim pointed out, "While the government talks about genuine growth, it has allocated about 60% of the budget to consumer vouchers, regional gift certificates, and debt relief," adding, "Specifically, using 1.1 trillion won for debt relief could create a sense of deprivation among the citizens who have been diligently repaying their debts."

He suggested, "Let's discuss more creative and just alternatives together to prevent the phenomenon of avoiding debt repayment."

Jung is quickly advancing towards party leadership

On the 22nd, Jung Cheong-rae visited Gangwon-do to express gratitude for the presidential election, meeting with party members in Sokcho, Pyeongchang, and Wonju.

This visit is interpreted as a full-scale move to solidify his stance after officially announcing his candidacy for the party leadership.

Former floor leader Park Chan-dae, categorized in the same pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, has also expressed his intention to run for party leadership, forecasting intense competition between the two.

However, it appears that regardless of who secures the party leadership, a political alliance with President Lee Jae-myung will strengthen, and cooperation between the party and government early in the Lee Jae-myung administration is expected to be enhanced.

Image Sources: Jung Cheong-rae / News1, Kim Yong-tae / News1, News1