Jung Chungrae: "I Received President Lee's 'First Edition Watch'... Reports That I Recently Started Wearing It Are Fake News"

Warning of Legal Action Against Fake News
"I Refrained from Print Interviews to Avoid Overshadowing the President"

Jeong Cheongrae, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on June 17 that he would take legal action regarding fake news. He also refuted media reports claiming that he had recently started wearing a watch from President Lee Jaemyung instead of a watch from former President Roh Moo-hyun. Jeong explained that he has worn the watch he received from President Lee consistently since the moment he received it.

At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Jeong made additional remarks, stating, "Recently, there have been media outlets and YouTube channels spreading fake news not based on facts. Since these matters go beyond personal harm and affect the party as a whole, I will take strong legal measures." This appears to indicate that he is preparing legal responses in light of recent rumors of conflict between the party and the presidential office surrounding his possible reappointment.

Jeong Chungrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on June 17, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

He continued, "It is not a matter serious enough to warrant legal action, but a photo was taken of me wearing President Lee's watch, and it was reported as if I had only recently started wearing the president's watch," adding, "I received the very first President Lee watch, and have worn it ever since. Reporting as if I am wearing it with some hidden agenda is, strictly speaking, fake news."

Jeong also mentioned that he had not given any print interviews since taking office as party leader. He explained, "I refrained from print interviews as they might come across as self-promotion. Now is the president's time, and I should fully support the president's administration, so I have never done exclusive interviews like previous party leaders, out of concern that it might become a distraction." He added, "For most media reports, I have just let them pass and did not respond, believing that people would eventually understand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.