President Lee Speaks with New Party Leader Chung, Offers Congratulations
Also Calls Defeated Candidate Park, Proposes Joint Meeting with Chung and Park
In Video Message to Party Convention: "We Must Unite Around the New Leadership"
On August 2, President Lee Jaemyung spoke with Chung Cheongrae, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Party, and emphasized the importance of the "one team" spirit, urging them to work together to deliver tangible results to the public.
Jeong Chungrae, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Party, and candidate Park Chandae are embracing after the announcement of their election at the 2nd Extraordinary National Party Members' Convention held on August 2, 2025, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, stated in a written briefing that after the conclusion of the Democratic Party’s national convention, President Lee congratulated Chung on his election and made these remarks. Kang explained, "Leader Chung also responded by agreeing with the president's intentions, saying that he would ensure clear division of roles between the party and the government and process reform legislation for the people's livelihood as quickly as possible."
On this day, Chung Cheongrae, a four-term lawmaker, was elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party. Chung won the party leadership election held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, with a cumulative total of 61.74% of the votes. Park Chandae, another candidate for party leader, received 38.26%. The results of this leadership election were determined by combining 15% from delegate votes, 55% from party member votes, and 30% from a public opinion poll. Chung led significantly in both the party member votes and the public opinion poll, except for the delegate vote.
Kang Yujeong further reported that President Lee also spoke with Park Chandae, who was not elected, offering him words of comfort and encouragement for his fair competition until the end. President Lee also expressed his intention to invite both Chung and Park to meet together in the near future.
Earlier that day, in a video message sent to the Democratic Party’s national convention at KINTEX in Goyang, President Lee said, "I trust that the Democratic Party will become a 'one team' and take the lead in fulfilling the mission entrusted by the people and history," adding, "As proven in the last presidential election, the Democratic Party is strongest when it is united as one."
President Lee stated, "One year ago, I too stood here with all my comrades," and continued, "I promised to restore growth by uniting the strength of the people and party members, and to build a nation of hope?a Korea that runs forward again." He emphasized, "We are all comrades who share the same purpose and move toward the same goal. Even if we have competed fiercely for a while, from this moment on, let us unite around the new leadership and boldly move forward to build a nation where the people are the true owners and happiness belongs to all."
Meanwhile, Chung Cheongrae, newly elected as party leader, declared, "I will serve the will of the people and party members as if it were the sky, and devote myself fully as the leader of the Democratic Party." Chung said, "Whether you voted for Park Chandae or Chung Cheongrae, we are all Democratic Party members and one. There will be no disadvantages for those who supported Park, and I will pursue balanced appointments."
He added, "Park Chandae and Chung Cheongrae will not part ways. I will implement the good pledges made by candidate Park. As always, I will join hands with Park Chandae to ensure the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."
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