August 2, Democratic Party's Second Temporary National Convention
Jung Cheongrae Vows "Reform Legislation Will Be Completed Within Three Months"
"We Must Uproot the Party of Insurrection"... Takes a Confrontational Stance Against the Opposition
Jung Cheongrae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized his intention to become a "strong reformist party leader" and appealed for support from party members.
Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party representative candidate, is greeting at the 2nd Extraordinary National Party Members' Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
At the Democratic Party's second temporary national convention held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, Jung delivered his policy speech, stating, "Just as I did as the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, I will lead the party in a refreshing, effective, and satisfying way," and added, "I will carry out prosecution, media, and judicial reforms swiftly and decisively."
He particularly promised rapid prosecution reform. Jung said, "On your way home for Chuseok, I will make sure you hear the joyous news on your car radio that the Prosecution Service has been abolished and has disappeared into history." He continued, "I will complete the reform legislation within three months so that the car of the Lee Jaemyung administration can speed down the expressway of reform, carrying the livelihoods of the people with joy," and appealed, "Fellow party members, please support me."
Jung stated, "There is no victory without a fight, and no stability without victory," and declared, "I will take care of the fight, so the president can focus solely on his work." He added, "I will handle the tough, difficult, and confrontational tasks, and the flowers and fruits of cooperation, unity, and stability will be credited to President Lee Jaemyung."
Immediately after beginning his policy speech, Jung said, "I have grown only with the support of fellow party members, and thanks to you, I have come this far. I bow deeply to express my gratitude to all of you who have nurtured someone as insignificant as myself," and gave a deep bow to the party members.
Regarding the People Power Party, he referred to them as a party of insurrection and took a confrontational stance. Jung stated, "Yoon Sukyeol has been dismissed and sent to the Seoul Detention Center, but the insurrection is not yet over," emphasizing, "We must uproot the party of insurrection." He continued, "I have proposed an amendment to the Constitutional Court Act to allow the request for a ruling on an unconstitutional party to be made through a National Assembly resolution and Cabinet deliberation," and asserted, "We must eradicate the forces of insurrection."
Jeong Chungrae, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is greeting party members as he enters the 2nd Extraordinary National Party Members' Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
When Jung asked, "Is it possible to cooperate with those who actually tried to kill President Lee Jaemyung, Jung Cheongrae, Park Chandae, and Kim Minseok?" party members responded from their seats with, "No." Jung stressed that eradicating insurrection must come before cooperation, saying, "During a war against insurrection, strong leadership is needed," and emphasized that he is the right person for the party leadership.
He also pledged to ensure that the Lee Jaemyung administration's policy initiatives would proceed without setbacks as party leader. Jung said, "Just the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration pushed the stock index over 3,000," and promised, "As party leader, I will fully support President Lee Jaemyung's ABCDE policies." He added, "I will actively work to ensure that the people can feel secure through self-reliant national defense and a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from the threat of war," and expressed hope that "with restored trust in inter-Korean relations, the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang will reopen."
Regarding next year's local elections, he also promised, "I will eliminate unfair candidate cutoffs." He further stated, "I will open an era where the party belongs to its members, where each person has one vote, and where party member sovereignty is realized."
Finally, Jung pledged, "I will lead the party as refreshingly and decisively as I did as chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," and declared, "I will act as prudently as I did when I was the impeachment prosecutor at the Constitutional Court."
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