Chung Cheong-rae: "Everyone I Meet Asks, 'Are You Okay?'... I Will Move Forward Trusting in One Person, One Vote"

"This is the First Convention Under the New System"
"I Will Protect the Democratic Party, So I Ask Party Members to Support Chung Cheongrae"

Chung Cheong-rae, a candidate for party leadership in the Democratic Party of Korea's August 17 convention, stated, "I will move forward guided solely by the will of the people and the party members," and added, "I believe in the power of one person, one vote."

On July 18, Chung posted on his social media, "I will protect the Democratic Party, so I ask party members to support Chung Cheong-rae," reiterating his commitment.

He recalled being excluded from candidacy (cut-off) ahead of the 20th general election in 2016 and subsequently launching the "The Keot Campaign Group" to support other candidates. He said, "I watched a video of myself declaring to serve the party 10 years ago. It was fascinating and surprising to see that, 10 years ago, I spoke about national and party member sovereignty using the same language I do now."

Chung Cheongrae, Former Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

He also referenced what he said at the time: "Just as the people are the owners of the nation, party members are the owners of the party. We must build a party where the members are truly in charge. (Do not leave the party.) Those who have left, please return home."

Chung added, "It is amazing and astonishing that I talked about national and party member sovereignty in exactly the same words as now, 10 years ago," and further explained, "The one person, one vote system has become a precious institution after more than a decade of hardship."

In addition, Chung wrote, "Mother, everyone I meet these days asks me, 'Are you okay?' People keep saying, 'Isn't it tough? Hang in there.' And they look at me with sad eyes. Many of them even cry. Mother, what should I do in times like this?"

He continued, "There is no life without hardship, and there is no person without struggle," and quoted poet Do Jong-hwan: "Like a flower that blooms while swaying, like a flower that blossoms wet with wind and rain, isn't our love and our lives also swaying and journeying through hardship and tears?"

This is interpreted as an example of 'underdog marketing,' as Chung defines the party leadership race as many candidates against one, in response to other contenders targeting him with attacks.

At 3:00 p.m. that day, Chung will hold a party members' meeting at the Mapo District Office main auditorium, addressing district delegates from his constituency, Mapo-eul.

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