Jeong Cheong-rae apologizes over nomination of Jeon Jun-cheol as special counsel: "Sorry for causing trouble to President Lee"

[Financial News] Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 9th apologized over the second round of nominations for a comprehensive special counsel, saying, "I am deeply sorry for causing trouble to the President."
At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Jeong stated, "As party leader, I bear responsibility for everything that happens in the party," adding, "The same applies to the latest nominations for the special counsel."
His remarks appear to reflect awareness of internal opposition that erupted after the Democratic Party recently recommended Jeon Jun-cheol of the Kwangjang law firm as a candidate for the second comprehensive special counsel. Jeon previously served on the defense team for Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Ssangbangwool Group, who has faced allegations over illicit remittances to North Korea. During the investigation into the remittances, Kim consistently gave testimony unfavorable to President Lee Jae-myung, then Governor of Gyeonggi Province, saying that Lee "must have been aware of all the circumstances." Some figures within the Democratic Party, including lawmakers Han Jun-ho and Lee Geon-tae, who are regarded as part of the pro-Lee faction, argue that putting Jeon forward as a candidate for the second special counsel amounts to "an act of betrayal against the President."
Jeong pledged, "We will overhaul our system to prevent personnel mishaps like this from happening again," and continued, "From now on, candidates will be vetted by the party’s personnel recommendation committee, debated to determine whether they are appropriate, and then reviewed once more by the Supreme Council."
jiwon.song@fnnews.com Song Ji-won Reporter