'Jeong Cheongrae for Seoul Mayor' and 'Han Donghoon OUT' Listed in Kim Minseok's Notebook: "I'm Offended"

Spotted in the National Assembly plenary hall on the afternoon of September 9

Jeong Cheongrae: "Why keep attacking the person who lost?"

Jeong Cheongrae, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, whose name appeared under the memo labeled "Seoul mayoral candidate" in the notebook of Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his displeasure at the situation.

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and assemblyman Jung Cheongrae are seen talking at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on August 26, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

According to a report by Dailian on September 9, Kim Minseok's notebook, which he had with him in the plenary hall of the National Assembly, contained a note presumably related to next year's by-election for Seoul mayor. Under the memo "Seoul mayoral candidate," the first line listed names that appeared to read "Hunsik," "Wonsik," and "Cheongrae." Each of these is presumed to refer to Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, Woo Wonsik, former Speaker of the National Assembly, and Jeong Cheongrae, former Democratic Party leader, respectively. Directly below these names, there were two more words, one of which was presumed to be "MJ."

Following these revelations, some observers suggested that as current Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon had been sentenced in the first trial to a fine of 10 million won and a forfeiture of 21 million won for allegedly having polling costs paid on his behalf (a violation of the Political Funds Act), preparations may be underway within the Democratic Party for a possible Seoul mayoral by-election next April. This led to speculation that potential candidates for Seoul mayor were already being quietly reviewed within the party.

Upon hearing the news reports, Jeong Cheongrae publicly expressed his displeasure. On Facebook that day, he posted, “Last time, they mocked me with a microphone, and now they hit me with a notebook. I’m offended.” He added, “You attacked me so harshly with negativity during the party convention—wasn’t that enough? The convention ended, and you won, so why keep attacking the person who lost?” He went on, “Also, regarding the Seoul mayoral race, those like ‘Minseok’ and ‘Younggil,’ who pursued the dream of mayor and lost, are also good candidates. Write their names in your notebook as well.”

Jeong Cheong-rae, Former Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Facebook

On an adjacent page, the names "Lee Jinsook" and "Han Donghoon" were grouped together next to the word "OUT." Given that both lawmakers have recently been at odds with the Democratic Party, some speculated that this was a memo hinting at a party-level response. Previously, Lee Jinsook clashed with the party over the National Assembly's 5·18 Forum, while Han Donghoon has engaged in disputes regarding recent cabinet nominees.

Kim Minseok also sharply criticized Han Donghoon, who raised suspicions about Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seungwon’s alleged solicitation for clinical trial approvals, calling him an "attention seeker" who “recklessly seeks attention by any means and ends up hurting himself.” Additionally, Kim Minseok referred to People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jinsook—embroiled in controversy for comments disparaging the 5·18 Democratization Movement—as a "female Hitler." In response, Lee Jinsook filed a police complaint against Kim Minseok on charges of insult.

Other notes in the memo included "real estate TF," "Coupang," and "farmland investigation." Regarding the memo in Kim Minseok's notebook, Han Donghoon posted on Facebook that day, asking, “Kim Minseok, Democratic Party leader, Han Donghoon OUT, are you imitating Noh Sangwon’s notebook?”

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