Jung Chung-rae, former Democratic Party of Korea leader and party leadership candidate [Yonhap]
Jung Chung-rae, former Democratic Party of Korea leader and party leadership candidate [Yonhap]

Jung Chung-rae, a former Democratic Party of Korea leader running for party chair, said he received more than 380 million won ($255,000) in donations in a single night.

Jung wrote on Facebook on Friday that during a YouTube broadcast Thursday he had mentioned his campaign fund was 20 million won short of its limit — and that overnight, 380 million won came flooding in.

He said he would have to return 360 million won individually, as the amount exceeded the legal cap. "It's a hassle, but I'm moved to tears by the generosity," he wrote, adding that donations kept coming in even though he could not close the account over the weekend.

Jung then asked supporters to redirect contributions to the accounts of lawmakers Choi Min-hee, Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-su over the weekend. The three are considered allies of Jung and are running for Supreme Council member seats at the party's Aug. 17 national convention.

About three hours later, Jung posted again, saying roughly 7,700 people had donated an average of 46,000 won each, totaling about 380 million won. "I will work really hard, so please help campaign for me," he wrote. "If you do, we will win."

The Democratic Party will narrow its field of party chair candidates to three through a preliminary primary on Tuesday. The registration fee for the preliminary primary is 20 million won, with a 50 percent discount for non-incumbent youth candidates aged 39 or under.


bbo@heraldcorp.com