Ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea convention on Aug. 17, an unusual pattern has emerged in the opposition camp, with some defending former leader Jung Chung-rae or focusing their attacks on former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. Jung, who has emphasized confrontation with the People Power Party, is seen as a hard-liner, saying, "I will not shake hands with the People Power Party unless it apologizes for the insurrection." In political circles, this is being interpreted as a strategic move to check the Democratic Party's expansion of its base.
The Democratic Party is currently wrapping up its rotating primaries in the Chungcheong region and Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang, with former leader Jung Chung-rae and former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok locked in a razor-thin race within 1 percentage point (P). Amid this trend, conservative-leaning commentators have predicted a strong showing by Jung. This differs from the broader pro-government camp's expectation of an advantage for Kim.
On the 6th, attorney Seo Jung-uk, known as a conservative-leaning panelist, appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Jae-hong's Match" and said, "The key is Honam," adding, "This convention is a fight between the late Roh Moo-hyun and the living Lee Jae-myung." He continued, "Roh Moo-hyun's support does not fall, but Lee Jae-myung is on a downward trend," assessing that "this is favorable to Jung Chung-rae." He went on to say, "A miracle will happen in Honam like in 2002 with Roh Moo-hyun," forecasting that "Jung Chung-rae can come in first even in Honam."
Jeong Gwang-jae, a former People Power Party Spokesperson, also made remarks that appeared to defend Jung. He said, "Candidate Jung has never left the party, and even when disadvantaged, he campaigned on the cut-off stump," adding, "Branding Jung with a traitor frame will not work well." He also appeared on a YouTube program and said, "In the PPP, they are supporting Jung," adding, "Isn't the enemy's misfortune my happiness?"
In the broader opposition as well, there appears to be a focus on attacks aimed at former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon referenced Kim's past conviction for receiving illegal political funds from SK Group, saying, "In the middle of the convention, he spoke as if he had secured a large-scale investment in North Jeolla and openly pressured corporations, which was inappropriate," adding, "It revealed a perception that political power can pressure a specific corporation."
Regarding this trend of "boosting Jung Chung-rae," political circles are also offering the interpretation that it is a "calculated cheer" from the conservative camp. A political source said, "It reflects the expectation that if Jung becomes party leader, it will be difficult for the Democratic Party to expand its base," adding, "In the end, it is a strategic calculation to undermine the competitiveness of the rival party."