Visited Cucumber Greenhouse for Recovery Work
"The Democratic Party Will Stand Where the People Are Hurting"
"We Will Accelerate Legislation for Essential Agricultural Materials Compensation"
On August 3, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited a flood recovery site in Naju and stated, "We will visibly repay Honam." This was his first official engagement.
Jeong Cheongrae, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party, is working on flood recovery at a cucumber farm in Noan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, on the morning of the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News
At 9 a.m. that day, Jeong visited a flood-damaged farm in Ansan-ri, Noan-myeon, Naju, South Jeolla Province, and participated in recovery work. He was joined by over 50 people, including Supreme Council members Kim Byungjoo, Jeon Hyunhee, and Hwang Myungseon; lawmakers Shin Jeonghoon, Park Kyuntaek, Seo Samseok, Kwon Hyangyeop, and Jang Kyungtae; Ju Cheolhyeon, chairman of the South Jeolla Provincial Party; Kang Wiwon, vice governor for economic affairs of South Jeolla Province; Yoon Byungtae, mayor of Naju; and Jang Seil, governor of Yeonggwang County.
At the site, Jeong said, "After the party convention, I thought Honam should be my very first destination. I wanted to express both my gratitude and regret toward Honam, which I felt during the convention process." He added, "Honam has contributed to the development of democracy, but the question of what the state has done for Honam's economy has stayed with me." He continued, "In line with the Lee Jaemyung administration's philosophy that 'special sacrifices deserve special rewards,' I want to make our appreciation visible during my leadership of the party."
After completing recovery work such as removing waste vinyl and vines inside a cucumber greenhouse, Jeong remarked, "For a farmer, crops are like children. It's heartbreaking even when a single chili stem breaks, so imagine the pain of suffering flood damage just before harvest." He continued, "We will stand in solidarity where the people's hearts are hurting and ensure their concerns are conveyed to the government." He also said, "The Democratic Party will always be present where the people's hearts are in pain," and added, "We will accelerate the enactment of practical support legislation, such as the Essential Agricultural Materials Compensation Act."
Jeong Chungrae, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting farmers at a cucumber farm in Noan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, on the morning of the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News
Shin Jeonghoon, who was present at the site, stated, "Agricultural disasters remain outside the scope of compensation. There is little difference in support between general and special disasters for farms. Institutional reform is urgently needed." Yoon Byungtae, mayor of Naju, said, "From the 16th to the 21st, a total of 542mm of torrential rain caused 9,230 cases of damage amounting to 14.7 billion won. As this exceeds the special disaster area threshold of 10.25 billion won, I urge the government to make a prompt declaration."
After completing the flood recovery activities, Jeong will hold a closed Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Previously, he appointed Han Minsoo as chief of staff to the party leader, Kim Younghwan as chief of political affairs, and Kwon Hyangyeop as party spokesperson. The remaining key party appointments will be announced following discussions at the Supreme Council.
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