Jung Cheongrae: "No Handshake with People Power Party Without Apology and Reflection on Martial Law"

Prospects of Petition to Dissolve People Power Party as Unconstitutional
Jung: "If Collaborators Are Revealed, There Will Be Public Demand"
On Prosecution, Judiciary, and Media Reform
"It Is the People's Supreme Mandate to Complete Them Before Chuseok"

On August 2, Jung Cheongrae, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that he would not shake hands with the People Power Party, the main opposition party, unless they apologize and reflect on the 12·3 Martial Law.

Speaking with reporters after the 2nd Extraordinary Party Convention held at KINTEX in Ilsan that afternoon, Jung said, "Through the 12·3 Martial Law and rebellion, armed martial law troops stormed the National Assembly. They attempted to attack and destroy the Constitution. They actually tried to take people's lives," making his position clear.

He continued, "Even a thorough reflection and apology would not be enough. If there are still forces defending former President Yoon Sukyeol without genuine apology, reflection, and self-examination, how could I possibly join hands with them?" he emphasized.

When asked about his stance on the possibility, raised by some, of filing a petition for the dissolution of the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party, Jung answered, "If it is revealed through the special investigation into the rebellion that not only Yoon Sukyeol, the main suspect in the rebellion, but also collaborators, abettors, and supporters of the rebellion exist within the People Power Party, I believe there will naturally be a strong public demand to file for the dissolution of the party as unconstitutional," adding, "At that time, I will make a wise decision as party leader."

Jeong Cheongrae, the newly appointed party leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering his acceptance speech at the 2nd Extraordinary National Party Members' Convention held at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the 2nd Extraordinary Party Convention at which he was elected, Jung defined it as "an event symbolizing party members deciding the fate of the party." He emphasized, "President Lee Jaemyung, and I, Jung Cheongrae, were not part of the mainstream of the party. The fact that President Lee became president means the mainstream of the Democratic Party has changed. The fact that Jung Cheongrae became party leader in the Democratic Party symbolizes that the party members, who are the true owners of the party, are deciding its fate."

He added, "In the past, party members used to be conscious of lawmakers, but now it is only natural that lawmakers must be conscious of party members. I believe this was a perfectly normal party convention. A new history of the Democratic Party has begun. I see myself as a tool that fits this new purpose."

When asked if there were any difficulties during the campaign period, he responded, "I received so much energy from the eyes of the party members on site and felt their enthusiasm directly, so there were no major difficulties. I have come this far trusting only the party members," and added, "Whenever I felt lonely, tired, or desolate, I wondered 'what should I do,' but honestly, there were not many such moments," expressing his gratitude to the party members.

When a reporter asked what his signature livelihood policy would be, Jung replied, "Throughout the convention, I said I would take care of the fights so that President Lee Jaemyung could focus solely on his work. Reform is something that should be done through legislation in the National Assembly. I believe that people's livelihoods are also protected through legislative action, so as the Democratic Party leader in the National Assembly, I will accelerate reform, and I will support the administration so that it can take good care of people's livelihoods."

Regarding how he would respond if there is a gap between the party members' will and public sentiment over handling prosecution, judiciary, and media reform before Chuseok, Jung asserted, "There is no difference between the will of the party and the will of the people." He continued, "The hearts of Democratic Party members and the people who support the Lee Jaemyung administration are aligned. The reform that the people are demanding now is a supreme mandate to complete it before Chuseok. Resistance is inevitable in reform. I will break through that resistance with all my strength," he said confidently.