Ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea leadership convention, Rep. Song Young-gil, who is considered a strong potential candidate, criticized former Chair Jung Chung-rae and former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chair Yoo Si-min. When Song said, "Former Chair Jung turned his back on former President Roh and could not even attend the funeral," Jung immediately rebutted, calling it "100% dissemination of false information," and demanded an apology. Song also drew a line on former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chair Yoo Si-min's "reconstruction theory," saying it was "nothing more than commentary."
On the 29th, appearing on a radio program, Song directly took aim at Jung, who emphasizes being the legitimate successor to the pro-Roh and pro-Moon factions. Song said, "Former Chair Jung turned his back on former President Roh and could not even attend the funeral," adding, "If you are trying to attack Prime Minister Kim Min-seok by arguing legitimacy, it is hard to make such a claim."
He added, "We all share responsibility for failing to protect former President Roh Moo-hyun," and emphasized, "Rather than fighting over the past, we should focus on solving the problems facing people in their 20s and 30s and small business owners."
When such reports emerged, Jung responded on his Facebook page, saying, "Rep. Song Young-gil's claim that 'Jung Chung-rae completely turned his back on Roh Moo-hyun and could not even attend the funeral' is 100% dissemination of false information," adding, "Of course I mourned and I also attended the funeral. I ask that you apologize."
Song also drew a line on writer Yoo Si-min's "reconstruction theory." The "reconstruction theory" refers to Yoo's remarks on the 26th on a YouTube program hosted by Kim Ou-joon, claiming that President Lee Jae-myung's governance focused on expanding to moderates and conservatives triggered the departure of the core base.
Regarding Yoo, Song said, "I'm not sure if he is a Democratic Party member," adding, "He is a commentator, so we can take it as commentary." He continued, "Politics is different from commentary, as President Lee Jae-myung says," and emphasized, "Commentators do not take responsibility, but the ruling party and lawmakers must produce results and take responsibility for people's lives, so it is on a different level."
Asked about a so-called "Kim-Song alliance" to join forces with Prime Minister Kim at the leadership convention, Song said, "Since a runoff system has been introduced in the party, forming an alliance in the runoff is natural," adding, "With the runoff system in place, we can compete transparently, and rather than preselecting a particular candidate, I see it as having established a safety valve that allows free competition."
On the 30th, Song will visit Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, to pay his respects at the grave of the former president. He then plans to hold town hall meetings in South Jeolla, Gwangju, North Jeolla, and the Yeongnam region, among others, making "supplementing the one-person, one-vote system" a key agenda item as he moves in earnest to prepare for the leadership convention.