Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae flatly rejected the "pro-Lee" framing surrounding Kim Kwan-young, who is running as an independent for North Jeolla Province governor, and reiterated that readmission to the party after victory would be impossible under party rules. He did, however, apologize for growing local resentment toward the party leadership.
Appearing Friday on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's Newsfactory," Jung said, "Since the days of leader Lee Hae-chan, discipline has been so strict that those who left the party or ran as independents after refusing to accept nomination or primary results have been effectively barred from rejoining permanently." He added, "Realistically, readmission is difficult."
On the Kim camp's claim of being a "pro-Lee candidate," Jung stressed, "The presidential office issued an official comment to the effect that there had been no prior coordination or briefing. This has nothing to do with pro-Lee, anti-Lee, pro-Cheong Wa Dae, or anti-Cheong Wa Dae framing."
Regarding Kim's expulsion, Jung emphasized it was an unavoidable decision prompted by corruption allegations.
"Footage of cash being handed out was captured on CCTV and broadcast. As painful as it was, the party had no choice but to act decisively," Jung said. "Had we not taken action, the People Power Party would have hammered away at it throughout the nationwide election, and the entire race would have been sucked in like a black hole."
He apologized, however, for the shock the abrupt expulsion caused among North Jeolla residents. "As party leader, I am sorry that I failed to fully consider the feelings of North Jeolla residents," he said. "Since he was a strong candidate, the shock must have been considerable, and the decision was made without enough time to explain it properly."
Jung continued, "Still, I earnestly ask for support for Democratic Party candidate Lee Won-taek to give strength to President Lee Jae-myung. I was grateful to hear voters on the ground say, 'It's disappointing, but I'll vote for the Democratic Party for the Lee Jae-myung administration.'"
Jung also addressed candidate unification in the Pyeongtaek-B by-election in Gyeonggi Province, viewed as the biggest last-minute variable. On the prospect of a merger between Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam and Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Cho Kuk, he said, "It has become realistically difficult," adding, "The two parties' secretaries-general met, but there was virtually no substantive discussion of unification."
Jung also acknowledged divisions within the party over allegations that Kim Yong-nam operated a lending business under another's name. "Among party members, those wanting to defend candidate Kim and those calling for his withdrawal are clashing quite radically," he said. "But since Kim is the official candidate nominated by the Democratic Party, I hope he actively explains himself and weathers this well."
On potential unification within the conservative camp, he said, "In politics, you must prepare for every possibility. If a situation such as candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn withdrawing arises, we will put our heads together again and deliberate."
On the broader meaning of the election, Jung appealed for base turnout, calling it "ultimately an election to protect President Lee Jae-myung and lend him strength." He said, "When I think of Yoon Suk-yeol's emergency martial law and Roh Sang-won's notebook, I still get choked up at campaign rallies. I urge the citizens who stopped the Dec. 3 martial law to come out and vote, and to give strength to the Lee Jae-myung administration."
