Clash Over the Role of the New Party Leader at Chungcheong Region Speech Event
Competing on Reform Pledges and Emphasizing Relationship with Lee Jaemyung
Differentiation Through Chungcheong Region Promises and Expansion of Party Member Sovereignty
Park Chan-dae and Jung Chung-rae, both candidates for the Democratic Party's leadership, presented differing views on the role of the new party leader on July 19. Candidate Jung argued, "I will fight, so the president should focus solely on his job," while Park stated his position that "we must work together."
At the Chungcheong region joint speech event held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on July 19, Park was the first to speak. He said, "Jung is a candidate I like, but I disagree with the statement, 'I will fight, so the president should only work,'" adding, "For the president to be able to work, the party leader must work together with him." He emphasized, "If the National Assembly is blocked, the president cannot function either," and stressed, "The party leader who will accompany President Lee Jae-myung in his first year must be competent, first, second, and third."
In contrast, Jung presented the idea of role division, saying, "I will handle the fights, so President Lee Jae-myung should focus on his work." He added, "I will take on the difficult, tough, and confrontational tasks," and promised, "I will credit the president with the achievements of cooperation, integration, and stability."
Regarding reform, both candidates pledged strong reforms. Park highlighted the reforms he had promoted since his time as floor leader and promised to overcome the current crisis. He stated, "Park Chan-dae's reform has already begun," explaining, "As floor leader, I pushed for three special investigations, including the Chae Hae-byeong case, and initiated the Special Act for Ending the Rebellion with signatures from 115 lawmakers." He also noted, "I collected more than 120 signatures for a parliamentary investigation into the subordinates of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration," emphasizing his tangible achievements. Jung, on the other hand, declared, "Prosecution reform, media reform, and judicial reform will sweep through like a storm and be completed with lightning speed," stressing, "I will complete reform legislation within three months." He also stated, "This is now a war against rebellion. In times of war, strong leadership is necessary," and added, "The party must be maintained in a wartime system."
Both candidates also emphasized their relationship with President Lee Jae-myung. Park said, "No one has been as long-standing, close, and dedicated to protecting President Lee Jae-myung as I have," adding, "After the defeat in the 2022 presidential election, I was the first to call for Lee Jae-myung to run in Gyeyang." He stressed, "During the last presidential election, amid threats of terror against candidate Lee Jae-myung, I stood in the square, ready to take the knife and arrows in his place." Jung also highlighted his role in the impeachment and regime change process. He explained, "During the presidential election, as co-chair of the campaign in every alley of Gwangju and South Jeolla, I canvassed rural markets in South Jeolla to win even one more vote," adding, "Thanks to these efforts, the regime changed and the Lee Jae-myung democratic government was established."
Regarding campaign pledges, Park presented promises for the Chungcheong region. He pledged, "I will expand the metropolitan railway network in North Chungcheong, help South Chungcheong leap forward as a hub for national advanced strategic industries, complete the administrative capital in Sejong, and support Daejeon's growth as a science capital with budgets and policies." Jung presented pledges related to party member sovereignty. He stated, "I will usher in an era of one person, one vote for party members' sovereignty," and promised, "Important party policies will be put to party members, and all-member voting will be institutionalized." He also promised "the revival of local party chapters, the establishment of a policy aide system for metropolitan councilors, and the holding of a year-end party member concert," adding, "For next year's local elections, I will ensure fairer primaries and eliminate unfair cutoffs."
Meanwhile, the joint speech event was originally scheduled to be held in the Chungcheong region but was moved to the central party headquarters due to nationwide flood damage, including in Chungcheong. In this regard, Park revealed that he had requested a postponement of the party convention schedule, but it was not accepted. He expressed regret, saying, "I respectfully requested that the election schedule be postponed until the heavy rain stops and recovery efforts can be assessed, but it was not accepted." Both candidates promised swift flood recovery efforts.
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