Local Political Scene Concerned About ‘Myeongcheong War’ Starting Point; Leadership Promptly Responds
The controversy surrounding Yoo Dong-chul, a ‘Lee Jae-myung recruit’ and swimming district leader who was cut off in the selection process for the Democratic Party’s Busan City Council chairperson, is reigniting.
At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 5th, Yoo stated, “The cut-off without reason or justification is dictatorship,” and demanded, “Representative Jeong Cheong-rae should take responsibility for this situation and resolve it.”
Previously, Yoo held a press conference on the 27th of last month immediately after the cut-off, challenging Jeong Cheong-rae by asking, “Was the promise of a complete primary without cut-off a lie?” However, during the primaries, which coincided with the APEC Summit period, he chose to lower his level of response, stating, “It is important to spread diplomatic achievements.”
Nonetheless, Yoo left room for further action by saying, “If the demands are not met in the future, I will review all options.” After the press conference, he reportedly demanded the resignation of Moon Jung-bok, Deputy Chairman of the Special Committee for Organizational Reinforcement, and also urged for the entire interview process to be disclosed and an investigation into the screening remarks.
At the Busan City Party temporary general meeting held at BEXCO in Busan on the 1st, Representative Jeong Cheong-rae attempted to reconcile by commenting, “It’s not because Yoo is lacking, but because the party leader is.” However, he did not clarify his position on Yoo’s demands and merely stated, “I will provide the utmost consideration as the party leader.”
In a press conference, Yoo criticized the leadership for remaining silent stating, “The unfair, biased, and undemocratic procedures of the party have deprived me and the party members of our rights.” He questioned how the Democratic Party had become a party that silences its members and forces them to remain silent in the face of injustice.
He also revealed that Jeong had offered him a special advisory position on the day before member voting, understanding his feelings. Yoo countered, “I don’t need a flashy title from the party. What I have repeatedly demanded so far is to explain the unfair interview process, invalidate and review the screening results, apologize for insulting remarks, and hold those responsible accountable.”
Yoo demanded that Jeong take responsibility for this situation and resolve it by clarifying the interview details and demands, including the resignation and apology of Deputy Moon Jung-bok who was in charge of the organizational affairs.
In response to Yoo’s protest, Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, countered, “The Organization Reinforcement Special Committee carried out the procedures strictly according to principles and regulations,” and emphasized that the party is returning all authority to the members, including the recent Busan City Council chairperson election.
The reason Yoo’s cut-off controversy is spreading is because this incident is viewed as the starting point of the ‘Myeongcheong (Lee Jae-myung-Jeong Cheong-rae) war’. Yoo, who has helped design the ‘basic society,’ was a strategically nominated candidate in Busan’s Suyeong district in last year’s general election. There’s concern in the local political scene that the scenario of a Lee Jae-myung recruit being cut off under Jeong Cheong-rae’s leadership without even competing in the primaries might repeat in next year’s local election nomination process.