Kim Min-seok attacks Yoo Si-min's remarks, Jeong Cheong-rae responds: 'Don't step on the cross'

Candidates vying for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party engaged in heated exchanges during a televised debate, particularly concerning accountability for the party's recent defeats in the June local elections. Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok directly challenged Jeong Cheong-rae, questioning his bid for re-election as party leader.

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now we are not in opposition and not in a situation where we are being persecuted by the prosecution

Song questioned Jeong's motivation for seeking another term, especially when the party is not in opposition and not facing immediate prosecution pressure. He also probed Jeong's differing views on the local election results compared to the president. Jeong defended his position, suggesting he could perform better with another term and that the party members and public would ultimately judge his performance. He argued that labeling the election a loss immediately would tarnish the entire year of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Kim Min-seok highlighted his own success in leading the party to victories in general, presidential, and local elections. He criticized Jeong's past electoral missteps, such as a verbal gaffe in a Busan election and indecisiveness in Pyeongtaek, suggesting these limited his effectiveness as a leader. Jeong countered that election command is not solely the role of a chief of staff, implying Kim's experience was insufficient to judge. Kim retorted that Jeong had not led important elections to victory without prior experience in top party positions.

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If you define it as a loss, then the entire year of the Lee Jae-myung government and party will be branded as a failure.

The candidates also sparred over Jeong's campaign strategy, specifically the alleged "birthday vote" tactic among his supreme council candidates. Kim accused Jeong of orchestrating "outdated factional politics" and engaging in "blatant old-fashioned politics." Jeong dismissed the accusations, calling the actions voluntary acts of party members that he could neither direct nor stop. He accused Kim of rallying more supreme council candidates and attempting to sabotage those close to Jeong.

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Election command is not the role of a chief of staff.

Additionally, the debate addressed controversial remarks by commentator Yoo Si-min, who predicted the failure of the "Lee Jae-myung government." When Kim questioned Jeong's silence on Yoo's statements, which he described as close to a curse, Jeong responded, "I wish you wouldn't step on the cross." He urged an end to the practice of labeling individuals as pro-Lee based on whether they criticize or remain silent, calling it "too cruel."

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The most outdated factional politics are being led by Jeong Cheong-rae.