The Democratic Party of Korea will elect a party leader at its convention on the 2nd of next month, with four-term lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae and three-term lawmaker Park Chan-dae officially registering as candidates. Both candidates, who are aligned with Lee Jae-myung, expressed their intention to support the Lee Jae-myung administration, with Jung emphasizing ‘strong leadership’ and Park highlighting ‘steady leadership.’
On the 10th, Representative Jung Cheong-rae held a ‘National Report Meeting’ in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, stating, “If it were a golden age, I wouldn’t have to be the one, but now we are in a wartime regime amidst a civil war.” He added, “In such times, strong leadership is necessary.”
He further stated, “The president should focus on work while I will fight. Reforms in the prosecution, media, and judicial system must be executed swiftly and decisively within the first three months of my term.” He emphasized, “If I become the party leader, I will take the lead in fighting to eliminate civil forces with a stronger Democratic Party.”
Representative Jung registered as a candidate through a proxy. He promised ▲ to establish a permanent system for party-wide voting ▲ to create an open candidate selection system to win the 6∙3 local elections ▲ and to realize a party that embodies the sovereignty of its members. He also vowed to push for punishment of those involved in the key duties of the emergency martial law on the 12∙3.
After completing his candidate registration at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Representative Park Chan-dae stated, “I am the only candidate who understands the government-party relations better than anyone else and can maintain it without wavering.” He added, “Now the public has given a different order to protect the Lee Jae-myung administration, which must take responsibility for Korea and to rebuild the nation.”
He continued, “Some say that integration is the president's job and that the ruling party can simply focus on reform, but that’s not true.” He added, “Even a single misalignment in the government-party relations can lead to confusion in national affairs. Now is not the time for experiments, but for proven leadership.”
Representative Park stated, “As long as civil forces remain, we cannot casually speak of reconciliation and integration,” emphasizing that he would ensure the passage of the recent ‘Special Law on Civil Insurrection.’ He also noted that he would pursue party reform aimed at realizing the sovereignty of party members.