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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Presidential office angered by lawmaker's 'short-lived administration' remark

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The presidential office reacted with anger to remarks by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, who stated, "The people are eternal, and administrations are short."
  • Officials expressed concern that Jeong's comments could lead to party division and were interpreted by some as a threat related to presidential impeachment.
  • Tensions are high as President Lee is on a European tour, with the presidential office reportedly displeased with Jeong's statements and actions, including his absence from the presidential send-off event.

The presidential office expressed strong displeasure with remarks made by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, who stated, "The people are eternal, and administrations are short." A ruling party official described the sentiment within the presidential office as "greatly agitated," viewing Jeong's comments as potentially causing party division. Some even interpreted the statement as a veiled threat, possibly alluding to presidential impeachment.

The people are eternal, and administrations are short.

— Jeong Cheong-raeDemocratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae's controversial statement.

These tensions arise while President Lee is on a European tour. Jeong's statement, made on June 11, has continued to cause friction. President Lee himself posted on X (formerly Twitter) the day before, emphasizing that the ruling party's passion should be directed towards the entire nation, not just their own faction, and advocating for dialogue and communication over confrontation. This post is seen by some as a reflection of his discomfort with Jeong's remarks.

We know that the presidential office is considerably agitated by Representative Jeong's remarks, and it is a statement that could lead to party division.

— Ruling party officialDescribing the presidential office's reaction to Jeong's comments.

Further fueling the controversy, Jeong was notably absent from the send-off event for President Lee's European trip. While the presidential office explained that the number of attendees was minimized due to domestic issues like the prolonged Middle East conflict and issues with election management, Jeong's absence was considered unusual. The party's Secretary-General, Cho Seung-rae, later attempted to downplay the significance of the President's X post, calling it a misinterpretation to suggest it targeted specific party leadership. However, Cho also criticized Prime Minister Kim Chong-in, questioning the appropriateness of his reported intention to run for party leadership while an election is ongoing, suggesting it could negatively impact the election results.

Is it not a threatening remark, possibly considering the possibility of presidential impeachment?

— Unnamed officialInterpreting the potential implications of Jeong's statement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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