Opposition lawmaker Jung emerges as Twitter star
By Do Je-hae
Rep. Jung Cheong-rae
Opposition lawmaker Rep. Jung Cheong-rae has emerged as a Twitter star after making a series of outspoken remarks on pending issues within his party following its humiliating defeat in the April 29 by-elections.
The New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) has been divided in a blame game over its crushing defeats in the parliamentary ballots last week.
Some senior members, such as Rep. Joo Seung-yong, have faulted NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in for losing all four seats in the elections ― three to the ruling Saenuri Party and one to opposition-turned-independent Chun Jung-bae, who captured the NPAD stronghold of Gwangju.
Jung, a loyalist of the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction of the NPAD, said on Twitter @ssaribi, Monday, that Moon's leadership alone cannot be blamed for the election defeat. Moon was the chief aide of former President Roh.
Jung countered that a widespread perception is that the NPAD's defeat is evidence of growing anti-Roh sentiment in the Honam region (Gwangju and Jeolla provinces).
"Irrespective of Moon's shortcomings, it is not rational to claim that the defeat is a judgment against pro-Roh dominance in the party," Jung said. "Rather, it is a judgment for the opposition’s failure to deliver its mission."
Jung slammed Joo, a member of the NPAD Supreme Council, for not doing his part in generating support for the party during the campaigning period. Joo represents Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and managed the campaign strategy in Gwangju during the elections.
"Joo was in charge of Gwangju. Will he accept responsibility for the loss? We must unite and refrain from bickering," Jung said.
Jung has received media attention for a series of scathing remarks about political headlines.
After the Sung Woan-jong scandal erupted last month, Jung was one of the most forthcoming in the party clamoring for Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo's resignation. "Lee is finished. South Geyongsang Province Governor Hong Jun-pyo is finished. The Park Geun-hye government is finished," Jung said.
Former Prime Minister Lee and Hong are expected to appear before prosecutors to answer questions about their ties to the late Sung, a businessman who committed suicide last month after leaving a memo with the names of people he allegedly gave bribes to.
Jung has used Twitter to shame people mentioned in the memo, including Hong, who reportedly received 100 million won from Sung. "I have persistently criticized Hong each time he came up in the news for abandoning a free-meal program in schools in his province, improper golf meetings and now the bribe-taking. It's time to say goodbye to Hong."
During a Supreme Council meeting Monday, Joo urged Moon to make a clear message about how he will shoulder responsibility for the shocking election outcome. The NPAD looked on course to outperform the ruling party in the vote at a time of waning public support for the Park government because of the corruption scandal.
Joo is the only lawmaker from the Honam region on the NPAD Supreme Council and is devoted to the anti-Roh faction in the main opposition party. "If Moon does not promise to undo the years of pro-Roh dominance in the party, our chances in the general election and the presidential election are bleak," Joo said. "Moon's own shot at the presidency will be jeopardized."