Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae attended a welcome event for President Lee Jae-myung on June 18, following his return from the G7 summit and a European tour. Jung's presence comes after he did not attend the departure ceremony on June 9, which led to speculation about tensions between him and the president.
On this occasion, Jung was at Seongnam Seoul Airport alongside Floor Leader Han Byeong-do to greet President Lee. Also present was Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is expected to compete with Jung in the upcoming party convention scheduled for August 17.
Previously, Jung faced criticism from pro-Lee factions after stating, "The people are eternal, but power is short-lived," following the June 3 local elections. Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu responded at a Supreme Council meeting, saying, "Party members are eternal, but party leadership is finite."
This exchange has sparked concerns about factional conflict within the party, with some suggesting the emergence of what is referred to as the 'Myeongcheong Conflict' between pro-Lee and pro-Jung factions. In response, Jung has described President Lee as a "world-class leader" and a "successor embodying the spirit of Kim Dae-jung" in an effort to mend relations.
During a Supreme Council meeting held the day before, Jung remarked, "Some media outlets are obsessively focused on malicious divisions between pro-Jung and pro-Kim Min-seok factions. If I must categorize, I would say I am part of the pro-leadership and reform faction. The Democratic Party is united in wishing for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
Meanwhile, the main opposition party, People Power Party, dismissed Jung's attendance at the welcome event as a mere "airport welcome show." Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon commented that Jung's rushed attempt to manage the situation came after the ruling party's leadership was completely excluded during the departure ceremony, leading to escalating rumors of conflict between the party and the administration.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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