Jeong Cheongrae Announces Bid for Party Leader Re-Election: "I Will Protect the Democratic Party and Lee Jaemyung, So I Ask Party Members to Protect Me" (Comprehensive)

"Once Again, a Strong Reformist Party Leader"
No Intention to Seek Presidency Through Party Leadership
Preferential Voting System and Youth Supreme Council Member Violate Party Constitution and Regulations

Former Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae declared his candidacy for party leader on July 13. Chung emphasized his loyalty to President Lee Jaemyung, stating, "I will remain loyal to President Lee Jaemyung," and added, "I will protect the Democratic Party and President Lee Jaemyung, so I ask the party members to support me."

On July 13, at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office, Chung announced, "I am running for Democratic Party leader, relying solely on the will of the people and the party members."

Former Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is holding a press conference on the 13th at the National Assembly Communication Office, declaring his candidacy for re-election as party leader in the August 17 party convention. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Chung, pledging to "once again become a strong reformist party leader," promised, "I will promote reforms to care for the livelihoods of the people, and use the improvement in people's lives to sustain the momentum for reform." He stated, "During my 11 months as party leader, I worked tirelessly as a strong reformist to achieve the liquidation of past authoritarian legacies, prosecutorial reform, judicial reform, media reform, and party democratization for member sovereignty." He cited prosecutorial reform and the one-person-one-vote party reform as his achievements. Regarding the failed merger with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, he said, "I will put the issue to a vote of all party members," and added, "I will ask the members directly and let them decide whether or not to proceed with the merger."

Chung stated, "The Democratic Party must become a more democratic and more competent ruling party," and continued, "We must continuously maintain the momentum for reform and ensure that the government's achievements in people's livelihoods and the party's reform capabilities generate a synergistic effect."

He repeatedly stressed his commitment to loyalty to President Lee. He said, "The ultimate goal for the Lee Jaemyung administration is to win re-election," and pledged, "To ensure stable governance under the Lee Jaemyung administration, I will devote myself entirely to securing another term for the administration."

He also stated that he would not use the party leader position as a stepping stone for a presidential bid. He said, "I have no intention of using the party leader position to run for president," and added, "I will not seek the presidency by leveraging the party leadership. Instead, I aim to be the architect behind a presidential victory."

During a meeting with reporters, Chung expressed opposition to the preferential voting system and the introduction of a youth supreme council member as proposed by the Party Convention Preparatory Committee. He said, "It has been revealed that these proposals violate the party constitution and rules," and continued, "If lawsuits are filed, the convention itself could be invalidated, so I hope the party leadership will make a wise decision regarding these potential violations." Regarding the introduction of a youth supreme council member, he added, "This would also require an amendment to the party constitution and rules," and explained, "Since the party constitution already stipulates that one of the appointed supreme council members must be assigned to a strategic region, I think it is reasonable for the other to be selected from among the young party members."

On his relationship with President Lee, Chung said, "I have had many one-on-one meetings with the president," adding, "I simply have not made them public." He continued, "Over the past four to five years, I have had the most conversations with President Lee, shared the deepest thoughts, and we are the closest and know the most about each other." He also said, "While serving as party leader, I emphasized a unified party-government-presidential office team and one voice, and I believe there has never been any discord."

Regarding the investigative authority of prosecutors and police, Chung said about the issue of prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers, "The complete abolition of supplementary investigative powers cannot be altered in the slightest," vowing, "I will ensure this is 100% completed." He added, "Within the scope of cases not under investigation, if prosecutors are allowed the authority to summon victims and suspects for confirmation and interviews, I believe this would resolve many issues."

Meanwhile, regarding the party convention race, Chung promised not to engage in negative campaigning, to use only legal donations, and not to operate a campaign office or similar facilities.

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