[Opinion] Chung Dong-young’s Showbiz Politics

“What’s wrong with him?” Kwon Roh-kap, a close aide to former President Kim Dae-jung, could not hide his embarrassment when Chung Dong-young, one of the party’s leading members, mentioned that Kwon must step down from frontline politics in front of the then President Kim. Kwon, who led the Democratic Party (DP) in place of President Kim, held Chung in high regard; he believed that Chung was one of the future leaders of the party. Kwon considered Chung to be one of the most promising DP presidential candidates only after Rep. Rhee In-je. Kwon was completely shocked by the remark, since he was the one who cherished and gave full support to Chung.

Chung, who was a star news anchor before he entered politics, was elected to the Assembly by the largest number of votes in the country at the 15th general elections, held in 1996; and he was catapulted to stardom once more by calling on Kwon to withdraw from the active leadership of the party. Chung’s surprise remark was made shortly after he finished fifth in the 2000 election to determine the party’s Supreme Council members, following Hahn Hwa-kap, Rhee In-je, Kim Jung-kwon, and Park Sang-cheon. Although he outperformed people’s expectations in the election, he has since been labeled as “an unfaithful man.” Perhaps that’s why he wrote the following in an article: “Personally, I will not be able to stop feeling sorry for Kwon for a long time.”

Chung, who has recently been elected as the presidential candidate of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP), also said that he felt very sorry for President Roh Moo-hyun, as well. It is no surprise since Chung, who served as the chairman of the Uri Party twice, eventually took the lead in the disbandment of the party. However, unlike the DP reform movement, it was a high-stakes gamble which Chung couldn’t afford to miss in his political career. If he didn’t turn his back to President Roh, he wouldn’t have been able to win the primary race.

Although it is not certain whether he intended it or not, Chung rose to stardom by stepping on the tombstones of Kwon and Roh, figuratively speaking. It reminds us of celebrities who change their managers as soon as they become popular. However, Chung is now calling himself “a legitimate child of the Participatory Government.” Chung’s so-called “20 to 80 separation” presidential election strategy resembles that of President Roh. Is the change of stars always justifiable?

Kim Chang-hyeok, Editorial Writer, chang@donga.com