[On-the-Scene Report] Jeong Cheongrae: "Veterans Affairs Also for the Democratic Party"...Notebook Filled with Ideas

Detailed Notes on the Scene During Accompaniment of Democratic Party Leader Candidate Jeong Cheongrae on July 30
Meticulous On-site Memos... "Doing My Best Until the 2nd"

"There is a misconception that we are weak in diplomacy, security, and national defense, but in reality, democratic governments have performed well in these areas. Likewise, the Democratic Party can excel in veterans affairs as well."

On July 30, at Gyeyangsan Traditional Market in Gyeyang District, Incheon, the market was bustling with visitors even on a weekday, perhaps thanks to the livelihood recovery consumer coupons. Jeong Cheongrae, a candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, communicated with citizens using his characteristic approachability. He pledged to show that the Democratic Party is capable not only in economic matters but also in security and veterans affairs. Candidate Jeong diagnosed that the unstable inter-Korean relationship is a cause of the Korea Discount. He said, "During the Park Geun-hye administration, the landmine incident occurred, and during the Lee Myung-bak administration, there was the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident, which resulted in trillions of won in losses," adding, "The most important thing is inter-Korean relations and eliminating military tensions."

On the 30th, Jeong Cheongrae, a Democratic Party representative candidate, is taking notes in a notebook at the office of Bupyeong Underground Shopping Center in Incheon. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Candidate Jeong took out a notebook from his pocket and showed a memo he had written when meeting with a representative of a veterans organization. The note was about establishing a Special Committee on National Veterans Policy, which he had included in his campaign pledges. "When it comes to honoring patriots, there is no distinction between progressives and conservatives. I was told that the Democratic Party should take the lead in this area. I wrote it down on the spot and included it in my pledges." The reason Jeong was able to turn an impromptu memo into a campaign pledge is because he always carries a notebook and pen in his pocket. The notebook is filled with ideas that come to him in the field and information about people he needs to remember.

On the same day, at Bupyeong Underground Shopping Center in Bupyeong District, Incheon, Jeong's notebook appeared again during a meeting with merchants. When a market representative suggested, "Please visit us again after you are elected," he immediately pulled out his notebook from his jacket pocket. "If I write it down here (in my notebook), I have to come," he said, jotting down the person's name and contact information. Jeong told a reporter, "Whenever I get an idea while visiting the field, I write it down immediately," and spread his hands shoulder-width apart, saying, "I've filled this many notebooks since I was a Supreme Council member."

The recent partial amendment to the River Act that Jeong proposed was also inspired by stories he heard in the field. The bill grants emergency flood control authority to heads of local governments. Jeong said, "When you visit the field, you realize there are many problems that can be solved easily if you just untangle a single thread."

On the 30th, Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party leader candidate, is purchasing bread at a bakery in Gyeyangsan Traditional Market, Incheon. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Perhaps because he experienced the effects of the livelihood recovery consumer coupon policy firsthand, candidate Jeong could not stop smiling. In fact, signs stating "Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupons Accepted" could be seen throughout the shops in Bupyeong Underground Shopping Center and Gyeyangsan Traditional Market. When he visited a jokbal (pig’s feet) shop in Gyeyangsan Traditional Market and asked the merchant, "How many customers use consumer coupons?" the merchant replied, "Almost all purchases are made with consumer coupons." Jeong said, "Seeing the market so lively, the effect is clear," and added, "We really elected a great president." He explained to the reporter, "There is definitely a priming effect for economic revitalization," and added, "When you go to a restaurant with consumer coupons, related ingredient sales are also boosted as a side effect." Jeong also bought clothes for his three sons at the underground shopping center. At the market, he bought 10,000 won worth of bread with cash and tasted some, showing his down-to-earth side.

The party convention to elect the new Democratic Party leader will be held on August 2. The final winner will be determined at a joint speech event for Honam, the Seoul metropolitan area, Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju. With voting by rights-holding party members in Chungcheong and Yeongnam already completed, Jeong is leading with a cumulative voting rate of 62.65%, ahead of candidate Park Chandae, who has 37.35%. When asked to predict the outcome of the convention, Jeong said, "I can't change how my opponent feels, so I just did my best with what I could do," and refrained from further comment.

On the 30th, Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is having a conversation with citizens at the Gyeyangsan Traditional Market in Incheon. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Candidate Jeong, who had not been able to visit Incheon even once due to flood recovery efforts, finally visited at the end of the campaign. After visiting Bupyeong Underground Shopping Center, he also stopped by Gyeyang, which is President Lee Jaemyung's former constituency. To help revitalize the local economy, he filmed short promotional videos (shorts) with merchants. His forehead was drenched in sweat. When he met people who said, "I voted for you," and reached out for a handshake, Jeong responded with a big smile and readily posed for photos, continuing his friendly approach.