Pro-Lee group urges Jung Chung-rae to make a decision, saying his stance runs against expansion

[Financial News] The Nationwide Innovation Council for the Democratic Party, an extra-parliamentary group aligned with President Lee Jae-myung, indirectly called on Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), to step down voluntarily on the 14th.
In a statement released that day, the group referred to President Lee Jae-myung's remarks to the party the previous day, when he said, "Focus on the people, not on factions." It said, "While the president is working to broaden the DPK's base and achieve national unity through moderation and pragmatism, Jung's actions are moving in the opposite direction of that governing philosophy." It added, "We urge Jung to make a broad-minded decision for the DPK's expansion, stable state administration, and victory in the next general election."
The group pointed out that Jung had created friction between the party and the government before the June 3 local elections. It also noted that after the elections, he toured the Honam region while pushing for the one person, one vote system and the abolition of the Public Prosecution Office's supplementary investigative powers, both of which had exposed differences between the party and the government. "If the president is running to expand the party's base, but the ruling party leader keeps repeating conflict and discord, he can only become a serious obstacle to the success of the government and the future of the DPK," it argued.
It went on to say, "Jung should reflect on himself." It added, "Was he a party leader who contributed to the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, or was he an agitator who blocked moderate-pragmatic expansion and fueled conflict?"
Inside the party, calls for Jung's resignation have surfaced over defeats in the local elections, including the races for mayor of Seoul, mayor of Daegu, governor of South Gyeongsang Province, and the National Assembly by-elections in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi, and Busan Buk-gu-gap. However, with the party convention to choose the next party leader set for Aug. 17, Jung has decided to hold his ground and plans to run in the leadership race in an attempt to win a second term.

uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yun-ho Reporter