Jeong Cheong-rae: 'End of Yoon Suk-yeol Era, Prelude to New Chapter'

Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae strongly criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's governance on the 17th, labeling it as "mismanagement" during a field Supreme Council meeting. "During the three years of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Yongsan has suffered greatly and its reputation has been tarnished," he said, describing the relocation of the Presidential Office to Yongsan as a "hasty" decision. He argued that the ensuing traffic congestion, daily inconveniences, and development delays caused by various regulations since the move have inflicted actual damage on local residents. "With the Presidential Office returning to Cheong Wa Dae, Yongsan has fully returned to the embrace of its residents," he emphasized, adding, "We must end this era of instability through this election."

At the meeting, Rep. Jeong personally handed a blue jumper to Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh, signaling his full support. He described Jeong Won-oh as "a proven worker, recognized for his competence by President Lee Jae-myung and highly praised by the residents of Seongdong-gu," assessing him as "the right person to spread the Seongdong miracle across all of Seoul." Regarding candidate Kang Tae-woong, he introduced him as "a veteran with 30 years of urban administration experience, who has served as Seoul's First Deputy Mayor and Head of Planning and Coordination Office, making him a prepared district mayor who understands Yongsan's issues more accurately than anyone." He further noted that Kang is an expert who can resolve the region's long-standing projects, such as the development of the International Business District and the creation of a national park. Rep. Jeong expressed high expectations for the two candidates, stating, "If we win in Yongsan, we win across all of Seoul. Jeong Won-oh and Kang Tae-woong are the strongest dream team to transform Seoul and Yongsan."

Rep. Jeong also harshly criticized the prosecution regarding the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into alleged political prosecution fabrication. Regarding the Ssangbangul North Korea-bound remittance case, he claimed, "Testimony that Ri Ho-nam was not present at the scene is definitive proof that the case was fabricated." Citing lawyer Nam Wook's testimony during the Daejang-dong case parliamentary inquiry, he characterized the prosecution's intimidation and enticement tactics as "heinous acts that defy heaven and earth, and state violence." He reaffirmed his strong stance on completely stripping prosecutors of investigative powers, stating, "Prosecutors should not be given even a sliver of investigative authority."

At the end of his remarks, Rep. Jeong thanked President Lee Jae-myung for "enduring severe trials and leading the nation's normalization," calling him "the protagonist of an unprecedented plot twist that revealed the true face of the prosecution." This field Supreme Council meeting is interpreted as the Democratic Party designating Yongsan as a key battleground ahead of the local elections and mobilizing its top leadership to provide direct support.