Jeong Cheongrae Holds First Supreme Council Meeting After Local Election, Vows to Humbly Accept Public Sentiment

Prime Minister Kim: "Democracy Is the Right of All Citizens" at June 10 Democratic Uprising Ceremony

Ruling Party Leadership Absent from the Event

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held the first Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of June 10, following the 9th nationwide local elections. He stated, "We will listen to the public sentiment confirmed in the local elections with greater humility and a lower profile," adding, "I share President Lee Jaemyung's assessment and understanding of the local election results." He continued, "We will establish an evaluation committee to objectively diagnose the election outcome—acknowledging what was done well, admitting what was not, and reflecting on what needs to be improved—and will publish a white paper accordingly."

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on June 10, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

In particular, Jeong emphasized, "We will humbly accept the criticisms and rebukes confirmed during the election process," and added, "By further strengthening the 'one team' and 'one voice' of the party, the government, and the presidential office, we will steadfastly ensure the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration that delivers results." Although there have been calls for Jeong's resignation within the party, holding him accountable, he did not make any specific statement about his position on this day.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who is expected to directly compete with Jeong at the Democratic Party's national convention scheduled for August, attended the 39th anniversary ceremony of the June 10 Democratic Uprising as the government representative at the Democracy Movement Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on this day. He stated, "Democracy is the right of all citizens and a precious asset of Korea that everyone must protect together. The government will deeply honor the noble spirit and the value of solidarity embodied by the June 10 Democratic Uprising and will take the lead in building a more mature society." Notably, this year, the government resumed the democracy development merit awards, which had been abolished since 2022 under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, for the first time in four years. Prime Minister Kim stressed, "This is an expression of our determination to remember to the end the noble sacrifices made for the country."

The leadership of both the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party did not attend the ceremony, citing party schedules. It is unusual for even the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea to be absent from the event commemorating the June Democratic Uprising. The ceremony was held at a historic site where the late Park Jongchul tragically died, a location recently brought back into the spotlight due to inappropriate marketing by Starbucks. Leaders of minor parties, such as Shin Jang-sik, acting leader of the New Reform Party, and Kim Jaeyeon, standing representative of the Progressive Party, did attend.

Prime Minister Kim and Jeong were also seen embracing each other as they attended the '100th Anniversary Ceremony of the June 10th Independence Movement' together at Gwanghwamun Square at 11 a.m.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok attended the 100th Anniversary of the June 10th Manse Movement Ceremony held at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 10th, and greeted Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. June 10, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.