Chung Bong-ju

Chung Bong-ju was born in Nohae-myeon, Yangju, Gyeonggi (now Gongneung-dong, Nowon District, Seoul) in 1960. His father, Chung Jang-duck (died in 1991), was a policeman.{{cite news |date= 30 September 2009|title= 北사촌형 만난 정봉주 전 의원 "이산상봉 계기 남북화해 기대"|url= http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=86693|access-date= 8 March 2020}} One of his cousin is currently in North Korea, whom he met in Mount Kumgang in 2009. He is a descendant of Chŏng Tojŏn.{{cite news |date= 9 July 2014|script-title=ko:'정도전 후손' 정봉주 전 의원 미니 인터뷰|url= http://ilyo.co.kr/?ac=article_view&entry_id=83999|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

He married Song Ji-young.{{cite news |date= 7 March 2013|script-title=ko:정봉주·송지영 부부의 속사정&경북 봉화 이사 계획|url= http://lady.khan.co.kr/khlady.html?mode=view&artid=201303071841421&code=4|access-date= 8 March 2020}} Both has a son and a daughter.

Chung studied English at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He also attained a master's degree in education from Yonsei University. He also studied at Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), advised by his father,{{cite news |date= 18 October 2011|script-title=ko:[단독]정봉주 "ROTC받다 감옥행"홍준표 병역문제 반박|url= http://www.cbci.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=40988|access-date= 8 March 2020}} but was suspended from the institution for organising a demonstration in 1983.{{cite news |date= 29 December 2017|script-title=ko:특별사면 받은 정봉주...필명 정시진 씨 시절 문익환 목사 보좌|url= http://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0100&key=20171229.99099013451|access-date= 8 March 2020}} As he was jailed for 1.5 years, he was only able to complete his university life in 1985.

In 1989, Chung moved to the United States and acquired a TESOL from University of California, Riverside.{{cite news |date= 7 March 2018|script-title=ko:기자 성추행 의혹 받고 있는 정봉주 전 의원은 누구?|url= http://monthly.chosun.com/client/Mdaily/daily_view.asp?Idx=3268&Newsnumb=2018033268|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

Following the graduation, Chung briefly worked at Monthly Mal, the magazine of the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media. During this time, he used the pseudonym, Chung Shi-jin ({{Korean|hangul=정시진|labels=no}}). In 1991, he ran as a Member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council under the banner of the New Democratic Unionist Party but lost. After the defeat, he operated an English language institute named Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Language Institute, till he was elected to the National Assembly in 2004 election.

Chung withdrew from the Uri Party in 2007 to endorse Sohn Hak-kyu as the government presidential candidate for upcoming presidential election.{{cite news |date= 16 June 2007|script-title=ko:정봉주 "손학규 前 지사 지지한다"|url= https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/307532|access-date= 8 March 2020}} When the party was re-founded as the United New Democratic Party, he joined the party but at the presidential preselection, Sohn lost to Chung Dong-young.{{cite news |date= 15 October 2007|script-title=ko:대통합민주신당 대선후보 정동영은 누구|url= http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/assembly/243095.html|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

During the presidential election in 2007, Chung criticised Lee Myung-bak, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Grand National Party (now United Future Party) who was later elected, bringing up controversies,{{cite news |date= 2 November 2007|script-title=ko:한나라, 손학규.이해찬.정봉주 고소 추진|url= https://www.hankyung.com/politics/article/2007110282758|access-date= 8 March 2020}} mainly BBK stock price manipulation incident.{{cite news |date= 29 October 2007|title= "BBK 이명박 소유 하나은행 서류 있다"|url= https://news.joins.com/article/2929088|access-date= 8 March 2020}}{{cite news |date= 18 November 2007|script-title=ko:정봉주 의원 이명박, BBK 연루 9가지 증거·5대 의혹 발표|url= https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/375686|access-date= 8 March 2020}} This gave him a nickname "Sniper against Lee Myung-bak" ({{Korean|hangul=이명박 저격수|labels=no}}) or "Sniper against BBK" ({{Korean|hangul=BBK 저격수|labels=no}}).

His activities were condemned by the GNP, who proposed to file a lawsuit against him.{{cite news |date= 3 December 2007|script-title=ko:이명박·손학규 진영 정봉주 활약에 '씁쓸'|url= https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=630|access-date= 8 March 2020}} Following the election, the GNP finally took actions against him for slandering,

{{cite news |date= 22 February 2008|title= 'BBK 저격수들' 검찰 수사 부메랑|url= http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20080222/8547082/1|access-date= 8 March 2020}} in which he was sentenced for a year of imprisonment.{{cite news |date= 17 June 2008|title= 'BBK 저격수' 정봉주 씨 실형 선고|url= https://www.mbn.co.kr/news/all/360024|access-date= 8 March 2020}} He appealed for 2 times, but on 22 December 2011, the Supreme Court confirmed 1-year imprisonment for him.{{cite news |date= 22 December 2011|script-title=ko:정봉주 징역 1년 실형 확정…총선 출마 못해|url= https://news.joins.com/article/6956641|access-date= 8 March 2020}} As he was jailed, he was banned from politics for 10 years from the time of the final sentence.{{cite news |date= 22 December 2011|script-title=ko:대법원 <나꼼수> 정봉주 유죄 확정, 10년간 피선거권 박탈|url= http://www.poweroftruth.net/news/mainView.php?uid=62|access-date= 8 March 2020}} At that time, he was preparing to run for 2012 election.

At prison, he was put in solitary confinement, which he described as "too small" till unable to stretch his two arms, as well as only left 30 centimetres from head and feet when he laid down to sleep. He also added his wife frequently visited him, around 2 to 3 days per week. In those days, he exercised to build muscles and later wrote several books talking about it.

He was released on 25 December 2012,{{cite news |date= 25 December 2012|script-title=ko:정봉주 만기출소 "아파하는 것은 개나 줘버려"|url= http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20121225/51825463/1|access-date= 8 March 2020}} shortly after the presidential election. Despite consecutive defeats for the Democratic Unionist Party at the general and presidential elections, he urged his supporters to not be frustrated.

On 29 December 2017, Chung was officially pardoned by the newly elected President Moon Jae-in. He expressed his gratitude to his supporters and the President on Twitter.

{{Quote frame|Finally being pardoned!~
Will there be a day like today? I can't still realise it.
I would like to say thank you for all citizens who brightened the Plaza last winter, as well as those who concerned me.
Thank you so much, Mr. President.{{cite news |date= 29 December 2017|title= Chung Bong-ju on Twitter|url= https://twitter.com/OneFuturePower/status/946551654953885698|access-date= 8 March 2020}}}}

On 7 February 2018, Chung announced to join the Democratic Party to launch his bid for Seoul mayorship at the upcoming local elections.{{cite news |date= 7 February 2018|script-title=ko:정봉주, 오늘 민주당 복당…서울시장 선거 출마 본격화|url= https://www.news1.kr/articles/?3228867|access-date= 8 March 2020}} The source also reported that he had set up an office in Yeouido to prepare for his plan. He scheduled to officially declare on 7 March at Gyeongui Line Forest Park,{{cite news |date= 6 March 2018|script-title=ko:정봉주, 7일 '연트럴파크'서 서울시장 출마선언|url= http://the300.mt.co.kr/newsView.html?no=2018030616437658760|access-date= 8 March 2020}} but on that day, he postponed it following a report of Pressian that he molested a female university student.{{cite news |date= 7 March 2018|script-title=ko:'여대생 추행' 의혹 정봉주, 출마선언 돌연 연기|url= http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/03/07/2018030701031.html|access-date= 8 March 2020}} On 19 March, his request to join the Democratic Party was officially rejected.{{cite news |date= 19 March 2018|script-title=ko:민주당, 정봉주 복당 신청 '불허' 결정|url= https://news.joins.com/article/22453340|access-date= 8 March 2020}} 9 days later, he officially withdrew his bid and declared to retire from politics.{{cite news |date= 28 March 2018|script-title=ko:정봉주 정계 은퇴 선언 "자연인으로 돌아가겠다"|url= http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201803281305001|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

On the other hand, on 6 December 2019, Yonhap News reported that the Democratic Party had already approved his application request on 28 November.{{cite news |date= 6 December 2019|script-title=ko:'성추행 1심 무죄' 정봉주, 지난달 민주당 복당|url= https://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/news/MYH20191206004900038|access-date= 8 March 2020}} Regarding the party's controversial "secret" decision, Chung mentioned that it was in order to not burden the party.{{cite news |date= 5 December 2019|script-title=ko:정봉주, 민주당 복당…"행정절차 조용히 밟았다"|url= https://news.joins.com/article/23650260|access-date= 8 March 2020}} He soon launched his bid to run for Seoul Gangseo 1st constituency for 2020 election{{cite news |date= 22 January 2020|script-title=ko:정봉주 "강서갑 출마…당 지도부와 설 전 만날 것"|url= http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20200122/99368763/1|access-date= 8 March 2020}} but was disqualified by the party due to controversies.{{cite news |date= 11 February 2020|script-title=ko:부적격 판정 정봉주 "당이 가시밭길 걸을 수도" 무슨 의미?|url= https://www.newbc.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8530|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

On 28 February 2020, Chung announced he would form a new party named Open Democratic Party.{{cite news |date= 28 February 2020|script-title=ko:정봉주, 비례정당 '열린민주당' 창당…"민주당 위성정당 아냐"|url= https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200228081700001|access-date= 8 March 2020}} He denounced the current Democratic Party as "not the real Democrats" for adopting conservative approaches and not properly reacting against the oppositions. While the party was criticised as the "satellite party" to the Democratic Party, he denied it. He also added he would not stand for upcoming general election.

On 6 March 2018, Pressian interviewed a female journalist who revealed that she was sexually harassed by Chung while she was a university student on 23 December 2011, 3 days before Chung was jailed.{{cite news |date= 7 March 2018|script-title=ko:[단독] "나는 정봉주 전 의원에게 성추행 당했다"|url= http://www.pressian.com/news/article/?no=188158|access-date= 8 March 2020}} According to her, both of them met at his speech on 1 November when she approached him to take a photo together. Both shared their contact numbers and soon, their relationship became closer. However, she continued that he then persistently sent messages, till she and her friends felt so uncomfortable.

On 23 December, the day after he was sentenced 1-year jail, Chung again contacted her to meet at Lexington Hotel Yeouido (now Kensington Hotel) as he really wanted to see her before entering to prison. She accepted his request as she felt a sympathy for him. The room was, however, was booked under the name of 3rd party, neither Chung nor her. After both entered to a room, he asked her several questions i.e. "Do you have boyfriend?" and soon hugged and tried to kiss her. She immediately ran away from the room.

After the article was widely shared in South Korean society, he subsequently denied the sexual harassment while accepting the truth that both of them went to the hotel.{{cite news |date= 8 March 2018|script-title=ko:정봉주 "한 편의 완벽한 소설을 썼다"|url= https://www.viewsnnews.com/article?q=155011|access-date= 8 March 2020}} He harshly denounced the woman for "writing a perfect novel" but shortly after that, he added he had never been to the hotel at that time.{{cite news |date= 9 March 2018|script-title=ko:[전문]정봉주 "성추행한 사실 전혀 없다…렉싱턴 호텔 자체를 안 갔다"|url= http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20180309/89026834/2|access-date= 8 March 2020}} Soon after, Pressian wrote the refutation articles.{{cite news |date= 9 March 2018|script-title=ko:'알리바이' 뒤에 숨은 '정봉주 해명'에 빠진 것들|url= http://www.pressian.com/news/article/?no=188542|access-date= 8 March 2020}}{{cite news |date= 9 March 2018|script-title=ko:[단독] "정봉주 '네가 애인 같다'…새벽에 '와줄 수 있냐'"|url= http://www.pressian.com/news/article/?no=188487|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

On 12 March 2018, Chung castigated the Pressian's article as a "lie"{{cite news |date= 12 March 2018|script-title=ko:[현장영상] 정봉주 "프레시안의 성추행 보도는 대국민 사기극"|url= https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0101_201803121104420689|access-date= 8 March 2020}} and the next day, he filed a lawsuit against journalists who reported the case.{{cite news |date= 13 March 2018|script-title=ko:프레시안, 정봉주 전 의원 고소에 "진실과 거짓의 싸움"|url= http://www.mediatoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?re_page=1&mod=news&act=articleView&re_total=22&idxno=141742#reply_list_box|access-date= 8 March 2020}} However, after a fortnight, he dropped the charge following the report that he purchased using his own card at Lexington Hotel on 23 December 2011.{{cite news |date= 28 March 2018|script-title=ko:[단독] 정봉주 고소 취하…"사건 당일 호텔서 카드 사용"|url= https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004685991&plink=SHARE&cooper=SBSNEWSMOBEND|access-date= 8 March 2020}} The next day, he announced his retirement from politics.

The prosecution demanded an imprisonment of 10 months and a penalty of 2 million KRW (≒ 1,300 GBP),{{cite news |date= 26 July 2019|title= 檢 '무고 혐의' 정봉주에 징역 10개월 구형|url= https://www.yna.co.kr/view/MYH20190726019000038|access-date= 8 March 2020}} although he was acquitted at the first trial on 25 October 2019.{{cite news |date= 25 October 2019|script-title=ko:'성추행 보도 허위 주장' 정봉주 전 의원 무고 혐의 1심서 무죄|url= http://d.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=4310247|access-date= 8 March 2020}}

• [https://twitter.com/onefuturepower Chung Bong-ju] on Twitter
• [https://www.facebook.com/bbongdosa Chung Bong-ju] on Facebook
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsoiJa5XIqVR2XVzQPITLkA Chung Bong-ju] on YouTube

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chung, Bong-ju}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Nowon District

Category:Politicians from Seoul

Category:21st-century South Korean politicians

Category:Members of the National Assembly (South Korea)

Category:Peace Democratic Party politicians

Category:Uri Party politicians

Category:United New Democratic Party politicians

Category:Yonsei University alumni

Category:University of California, Riverside alumni