Choi Jae-sung, a former Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker who served as senior presidential secretary for political affairs under the Moon Jae-in administration, predicted that DP Chairman Jung Chung-rae would not seek reelection, citing recent conflicts with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction that have stalled his bid.
"What could he possibly gain by running (for the party leadership) while enduring the so-called 'Myung-Chung War' and creating discord?" Choi said during an appearance Thursday on YTN Radio's "Jang Sung-chul's News Myeongdang," adding that Jung's reelection bid "has now become realistically difficult."
He said, "Although the local election results showed a numerical win, the public says we lost. So Jung's position has completely changed because of the local elections." He added, "Also, with issues such as the merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party and rumors of a deal to drop indictments, pro-Lee party members have broken away from Jung amid the discord." He continued, "Such things weren't very visible before the election, but now the dream is being broken," and analyzed, "From Jung's standpoint, to challenge for reelection, there must first be a premise of 'winning.' Would he challenge for reelection without that premise and fail? Jung is unlikely to choose such a path."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung not inviting Jung to the send-off for his Europe tour, Choi said, "It's not passing, but it is blocking. He put up a wall. The emphasis seems to have been more on Jung not needing to come."
On recent opinion polls showing his approval ratings lower than those of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, a potential rival, Choi said, "As the local elections were held, public sentiment in the Honam region turned significantly away from Jung. And there is the president's assessment and the public's assessment, so the polls (showing a low approval rating for the next party leader) come out that way."
On calls within the party for Jung to resign and not run, Choi said, "I wish lawmakers would stop saying don't run, resign," adding, "I believe Jung's time for reflection has finally begun. I think we need to give Jung some time."
Regarding former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Rep. Song Young-gil, who are mentioned as party leadership candidates alongside Jung and Kim, Choi said, "I believe neither of them will run, 100 percent." He said, "Former Prime Minister Kim is not in a situation where he can engage further in practical politics," interpreting, "Rep. Song criticized Jung quite a lot after the local elections ended. If he were someone planning to run in the party convention, he wouldn't do that."
