Jeong Jeongsik Responds to Ruling Party Criticism of Park Geun-hye’s Workshop Attendance: "If You Are Jealous, You Lose"

Jeong Jeongsik to Visit Former President Lee Myung-bak on the 31st
Emphasizing Broad Conservative Unity
People Power Party Adopts Four-Pillar Resolution: Rule of Law, Security, Livelihood, and Youth

Jeong Jeongsik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, rebuffed criticism from the Democratic Party of Korea, which called former President Park Geun-hye's attendance at the party's workshop a "regression," by saying, "If you are jealous, you lose." Jeong plans to expand contact with former Presidents, including a scheduled courtesy visit to former President Lee Myung-bak on the 31st, as part of efforts to promote unity within the party and a broad conservative coalition.

During a press conference following the People Power Party National Assembly Members' Workshop held at Sono Calm Goyang in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 28th, Jeong stated, "The Democratic Party is not only distorting and belittling former President Park’s attendance at the workshop but is also engaging in excessive disparaging remarks. I don’t understand why they are so concerned about another party’s workshop."

Jeong Jeong-sik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is delivering closing remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2026 People Power Party Members of the National Assembly Workshop held on the 28th at Sono Calm Goyang in Janghang-dong, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

He went on to say, "It seems the Democratic Party is still suffering from the aftereffects of their party convention, leading to internal division, making them envious of former President Park attending our workshop and stressing unity and the concept of a ‘one team.’" He further advised, "The Democratic Party should respect their own former presidents as party elders rather than using derogatory terms."

Former President Park attended the People Power Party workshop the previous day and called for party unity and solutions to livelihood and security issues. It was her first attendance at a conservative party workshop in 14 years, since 2012. Jeong is also arranging a schedule to pay a courtesy visit to former President Lee Myung-bak on the 31st.

Regarding the scope of conservative unity, Jeong stated, "The possibility of solidarity is always open to anyone who agrees with the fundamental constitutional principle of liberal democracy and conservative values," adding, "The issue of a broad conservative coalition will be decided according to the desires of the party members and the public."

The People Power Party concluded its two-day, one-night workshop on this day, adopting a resolution focusing on four pillars: rule of law, security, livelihood, and youth. The resolution included: ▲ establishing the principles of the rule of law; ▲ setting national defense and public safety as top priorities for protecting the lives and security of the people; ▲ easing regulatory and tax burdens and restoring upward mobility in housing; and ▲ expanding opportunities for youth employment and asset building.

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