Internal Conflict in Democratic Party’s Highest Council Elections,
Chung Bong-joo, a candidate for the Democratic Party’s highest council, is addressing issues and response plans regarding the so-called ‘support for Lee Jae-myung’ faction at a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 12th. Yonhap News,
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, ‘Ming-sim Intervention’ Remarks by Chung Bong-joo ,
, Increase in Criticism from the Anti-Lee Jae-myung Faction,
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, “Party Innovation Begins After the Highest Council Election” ,
, Showdown in the 2nd Leadership,
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, ‘The Democratic Party’s highest council election, which is fiercely competing for the five positions, is heading towards the finish line. After the April 10 general election, where the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction gained a significant presence in the National Assembly, the election has turned into a ‘Ming-sim’ (alleged intentions of former leader Lee Jae-myung) election, causing internal conflicts. The controversy surrounding candidate Chung Bong-joo is notable.’,
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, ‘On the 12th, candidate Chung held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall and stated, “I will uproot the ‘support for Lee Jae-myung’ groups” and that “I have decided to weed them out, no matter how harsh the criticism may be.” ‘,
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, ‘As of the previous day, with an accumulated vote rate of 15.63%, candidate Chung, ranked 2nd, practically confirmed Lee Jae-myung’s entry into the 2nd leadership.’,
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, ‘Chung stated, “They have constantly divided the party by constantly splintering internally in support of Lee Jae-myung, designating competitors as enemies, and causing factionalism within the party” and said, “After the national party members’ assembly, their true colors will be revealed, and the party’s genuine innovation will begin.” Chung avoided giving a direct answer when questioned about whether the ‘support for Lee Jae-myung’ groups and the former leader Lee Jae-myung should be viewed separately.’,
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, ‘Candidate Chung, who maintained the top spot in the regional tour polling (online voting by party members) until the 27th of last month, yielded his position to candidate Kim Min-seok, largely influenced by the direct and indirect support of former leader Lee. Earlier, the former leader’s remarks questioning why Kim’s votes were not coming in stirred up the ‘Ming-sim’ controversy. Subsequently, ethical controversies surrounding candidate Chung reemerged within the party community over issues such as violations of election laws, sexual harassment allegations, domestic violence, and disdainful remarks towards ‘soldiers with crutches’ during the last general election resulted in the cancellation of his candidacy.’,
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, ‘The controversy over candidate Chung’s criticism of the former leader’s involvement in the highest council election fueled negative public opinion. Park Won-seok, a former member of the Justice Party who claimed to have spoken with Chung, stated on SBS Radio on the 8th, “Chung is quite enraged by the former leader’s involvement in the highest council election” and conveyed, “Chung said, ‘The highest council meeting is based on unanimity. Just wait and see how I handle things if I get in.” Some strong party members reproached candidate Chung with “resign” during a joint debate the previous day.’,
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, ‘While candidate Chung’s press conference primarily aims to stem the controversies surrounding him, it is also interpreted as a promise to continue an independent course, setting himself apart from the pro-Lee faction in the upcoming leadership. Some analyses suggest that the current internal conflict could be a signal that party conflicts may erupt at any time within the 2nd leadership.’, ‘\n’]