Jung Chung-rae moves to quell furor over airport snub, says Lee should 'return in triumph'

Speculation is swirling inside the ruling camp and broader political circles over Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae's absence from the airport send-off for President Lee Jae-myung's European tour on Tuesday, an event attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok in his place.

Amid the controversy, Jung moved Wednesday to tamp down the furor, saying he hoped President Lee would "open new horizons in national-interest diplomacy and practical diplomacy, and return home in triumph."

Jung made the remarks at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on Wednesday morning, saying South Korea "is building high standing in the international community thanks to President Lee's unparalleled diplomatic capabilities and achievements." His comments were widely read as a full-throated show of support and confidence in the president's 10-day, eight-night European tour.

Jung also said the party would establish an evaluation committee to publish a white paper "so that we can make a clear-eyed assessment of the successes and failures" of the local elections. He added that the party would "humbly accept the criticism and reproach identified during this election process, filling what is lacking and refining what needs to be refined," and pledged to "steadfastly support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration by further strengthening the party, government and Cheong Wa Dae as one team with one voice, working alongside capable local governments."

Prime Minister Kim, presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and presidential political affairs secretary Hong Ik-pyo were among those who attended Tuesday's send-off, while Jung was nowhere to be seen. It was the first time Jung had skipped an overseas departure ceremony since taking office last August. Some analysts also noted it was unusual for Kim, who has typically attended homecoming events rather than departures, to appear at the send-off.

Cheong Wa Dae explained Jung's absence by saying the party had decided to keep the send-off to a minimum given the gravity of the ballot irregularities issue, rather than turning out in force for a presidential farewell. "The role of the legislature is more important right now than seeing the president off," a presidential official said.

Some figures aligned with President Lee interpreted the episode as the president using the send-off to signal support for Prime Minister Kim ahead of the Democratic Party's next leadership convention, scheduled for Aug. 17. Rep. Lee Geon-tae, a pro-Lee lawmaker, wrote on Facebook that Jung's "leadership must take responsibility for the defeat." A lawmaker aligned with Jung rebuffed the framing, saying, "Do not drag the president and Cheong Wa Dae into the party leadership primary to manufacture a false narrative of pro-Lee versus pro-Jung factions."

Jung made an unannounced visit to Gimje, North Jeolla Province, on Tuesday, where he had lunch with North Jeolla Province Governor-elect Lee Won-taek, who defeated independent candidate Kim Gwan-young. Political observers said the trip to the Honam region — seen as a pivotal battleground in the leadership convention — was in effect a signal that Jung intends to seek a second term as party leader.