Jeong Jin-seok's nomination for by-election sparks controversy, draws fire from within party and opposition

The Hankyoreh reports on the growing controversy surrounding Jeong Jin-seok's potential nomination for the by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. While Jeong has declared his intention to run, citing a desire to "establish parliamentary democracy and our camp in the National Assembly," his bid is met with significant internal and external criticism.

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The leadership arguing again is really not right.

Yang Hyang-ja, a key figure in the People Power Party, has indirectly opposed Jeong's nomination, questioning its strategic benefit for the party's overall electoral success and expressing concern about the potential for relentless media attacks. This internal dissent highlights a division within the party regarding how to approach nominations, especially for figures closely associated with the former administration.

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Will Director Jeong's candidacy help the party's overall victory? Can the party withstand the continuous crossfire from the media? I have these thoughts. And why should we endure it?

Adding to the pressure, former party leader Kim Chong-in and prominent Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jie-won have voiced strong opposition. Kim criticized Jeong's "excessive ambition," arguing that as Yoon Suk-yeol's last chief of staff, his immediate return to electoral politics is "too hasty," particularly given the ongoing legal troubles of the former president. Park Jie-won, in a particularly sharp remark, told Jeong to "just focus on taking care of President Yoon in prison," emphasizing the perceived duty of a former chief of staff.

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I think Director Jeong's ambition is too excessive.

Jeong himself has acknowledged the "lightning strike" of the state of emergency declaration but insists he has "no intention of cutting off his human relationship" with Yoon. However, the party's nomination committee has put his candidacy on hold pending a review by the ethics committee, which has since canceled its meeting, leaving the decision in limbo. Jeong is also facing charges related to alleged obstruction of evidence related to the December 3rd "rebellion" incident, further complicating his political future and fueling public debate.

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Given that he was the last chief of staff to former President Yoon, it is too hasty for the chief of staff to immediately run in an election when the president has been impeached and is on trial due to the state of emergency issue.