Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on Kim Ou-joon's News Factory again on the 28th following last week and appealed for a broad progressive rally, saying, "If this election goes wrong, there will be big trouble for President Lee Jae-myung." While apologizing over the controversy surrounding the Jeonbuk governor nomination, Jung said of candidate Kim Yong-nam's loan business allegations, "I hope he explains himself and gets through it."
Jung appeared again that day on the YouTube show "Kim Ou-joon's News Factory: Humility Is Difficult." Acknowledging Kim Ou-joon's question about conservative consolidation in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region by saying "That's right," Jung called this election "an election to empower President Lee Jae-myung and to protect President Lee Jae-myung."
Jung said, "On the other side, there is even 'Yoon again,' 'Park again,' and 'MB again,' and conservatives are closing ranks," adding, "If the election goes wrong, there will be big trouble for President Lee Jae-myung." Jung went on, "I think our aspirations for the Lee Jae-myung administration should lead to a progressive grand consolidation."
In response to Kim's question about independent candidate Kim Kwan-young returning to the party, Jung said, "It is impossible under the party constitution and rules," but added, "As party leader, I am sorry that we failed to fully understand the hearts of Jeonbuk residents in the process."
Jung explained, "We inevitably made a decision because of the allegations of cash handouts," adding, "It was an unavoidable decision for the party leadership, but if we had not done so, it would have swallowed the national election."
Regarding the allegations that candidate Kim Yong-nam, running in the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election, was involved in the loan business, Jung said, "Whatever the reason, he is a nominated candidate with the party leader's seal," adding, "Those helping Kim are working hard, but the reality is there are party members who are not."
To Kim's question, "Can't the resignation be decided by the party leader alone?," Jung answered, "That's right," and said, "Regarding the allegations raised about candidate Kim Yong-nam, I hope he will actively explain himself and navigate through this well."