Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung bows to the Poeun Art Hall in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, on the morning of the 24th to announce a policy promise for Gyeonggi-do together with Democratic Party lawmakers based in Gyeonggi-do. National Assembly Photo Foundation
Seven former and incumbent lawmakers close to presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, known as the so-called ‘seven members’, declared that they would not hold appointments in the next government.
Democratic Party lawmakers Jeong Seong-ho, Kim Byeong-wook, Kim Young-jin, Im Jong-seong, Moon Jin-seok, and Kim Nam-guk held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 24th and said, “Today, I promise to the people that the seven of us will not assume any appointed positions in the Lee Jae-myung government, which the people will choose.”
Former lawmaker Lee Kyu-min, one of the seven members, has lost his seat as a member of the National Assembly for violating the Public Official Election Act.
They said, “There are less than 50 days left before the presidential election, which will be responsible for the future of the Republic of Korea for the next five years, but the people are disappointed at the shameful sight of them fighting for power to occupy the vacant seats in the next government’s cabinet and by-elections and local elections, regardless of the ruling party. He diagnosed the current situation, saying, “I frown at the arrogance of having brought the government before even being chosen by the people.”
Regarding the Moon Jae-in administration, he calmly evaluated the government, saying, “Even in this government, the chains of remuneration, revolving door, and camp personnel cannot be broken.” It should never become a force for state management,” he said.
He continued, “The new Lee Jae-myung government should plan for the five-year future of Korea, which will overcome the corona crisis as a ‘completely new force’ and transform the economy and society,” he said. It has to be selected based only on ability and sincerity, beyond regional boundaries and beyond.”
“We are classified as close aides to Candidate Lee Jae-myung, and we will give up our vested interests from the so-called seven-member group,” he declared.
Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho (left) and presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung together in May last year. Reporter Park Jong-min
In a meeting with reporters after the press conference, Rep. Jeong Seong-ho said, “Most of the members of the 7-member group have been doing the white-royal military stance during and after the internal election process. It is an extension of that, not because the approval rating suddenly dropped.” He drew a line that the declaration was not a solution to Lee’s stagnant approval rating.
When asked about his sympathy with Candidate Lee, he said, “There was no communication at all. Lee does not know at all. We have not said anything.” He said, “The attitude that the party’s unity and unity come first, and that we should not assume any key positions. And it was decided as an extension of that.”
However, in order to win the election, there are voices from inside and outside the party that a reform of the people, including the theory of resignation of the 86th generation, is necessary.
Rep. Jeong also said, “Many people are suspicious of ‘the Democratic Party has become a vested interest,’ and it is also true that it is being viewed as such. They also have to take on a heavy responsibility, and I know that there is such an opinion as a part of that.”
Rep. Kim Young-jin, who attended the press conference, said, “I will do everything to get out of the box of approval ratings for this candidate.”
