At the Democratic Party of Korea convention, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former leader Jung Chung-rae, who are competing for the party chair, clashed head-on over so-called "self-serving politics." Addressing allegations that he obstructed an August unified convention predicated on a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, Kim said, "If it is true, I will not register as a candidate," taking a hard line.
On the afternoon of the 7th, after the "Three mega projects and region-led growth forum," Kim met with reporters and, responding to Jung's comment that Kim's "dream of being party chair" remark was "a prime example of self-serving politics," said, "I think it is fortunate that he responded to the issue raised about self-serving politics," adding, "Now the core question that has emerged is what kind of self-serving politics must be overcome."
In his declaration of candidacy on the 6th, Kim had criticized Jung for engaging in "self-serving politics." In response, Jung fired back on his Facebook page that morning, aiming at Kim, saying, "Saying that being party chair is your dream—Isn't that a case of self-serving politics?"
Kim said, "I pointed to shortcomings regarding prosecutorial reform, nominations, and election command—insufficient debate, insufficient deliberation, poor coordination between the party and government, and a lack of intra-party discussion—as self-serving politics," adding, "We should compare my one-time mention of a 'dream' remark with what constitutes self-serving politics and debate which side is more problematic."
Kim drew a sharp line against suspicions from some quarters that he opposed or derailed an "August unified convention" through a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party. The claim, aimed at Kim by Rep. Choi Min-hee on her Facebook page that day, says that back in January, when merger talks with the Rebuilding Korea Party were underway, the presidential office proposed that before the local elections the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party merge and hold a unified convention in August, but that Kim opposed it.
Kim dismissed it, saying, "With regard to the August unified convention theory, the claim that the president ordered or issued guidelines and that I scuttled them is not true even by 0.1%."
He added firmly, "If there was even the slightest guideline within the ruling camp regarding an August unified convention and it is even slightly true that I opposed it, I will not register as a candidate for this convention." He also said, "As for fake news, it will be addressed through the planned '100 questions, 100 answers.'"
Meanwhile, Jung and Kim continue to remain on edge. After attending the Mapo District chief's inauguration ceremony that afternoon, Jung met with reporters and labeled Kim's remarks as "negative," saying, "Attacking me revealed a negative emotion or attitude." He again criticized Kim's "dream of being party chair" comment as "highly inappropriate."