Democratic Party Holds First On-site Supreme Council Meeting in Honam on August 8
Ruling Party Seeks to Win Honam's Support
"Special Committee to Discuss Directions for Regional Development"
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his displeasure and asserted discipline regarding Gwangju and Jeonnam constituency lawmakers who were absent from the on-site Supreme Council meeting in Honam. Since being elected party leader, he has been making every effort to win the support of Honam, a traditional Democratic Party stronghold, including forming the Special Committee for Honam Development.
At the first on-site Supreme Council meeting held on August 8 at the Democratic Party’s Jeonnam Provincial Party conference room in Muan County, Jeonnam, Jeong directly rebuked the absent lawmakers from Gwangju and Jeonnam constituencies, saying, “The Gwangju City Party Chair (Yang Bunam) and the Jeonnam Provincial Party Chair (Joo Cheolhyeon) are here, so why didn’t the others come?”
Jeong then instructed Secretary-General Cho Seungrae, “Investigate the reasons for the absences and report back,” and reiterated, “Those who did not attend should not act this way.”
Since his election, Jeong has pledged to swiftly deliver on the campaign promises he made to secure support in Honam, which is often referred to as the Democratic Party’s stronghold.
He stated, “If it were not for Gwangju in May 1980, there would have been no June Struggle in 1987. Without the June Struggle in 1987, the current Constitution would not exist. If there had been no Constitution, we would not have been able to prevent the 12·3 Martial Law. In this sense, the credit for overcoming this insurrection lies greatly with the souls of Gwangju in 1980, who perished without name or recognition.”
Jeong continued, “It is time for the Democratic Party to answer whether any special compensation has been provided for Gwangju’s extraordinary sacrifice. As promised during the party convention, I have nominated Seo Samsuk, a lawmaker from Honam, as Supreme Council member, and as part of that promise, today I appointed Supreme Council member Seo as the chair of the Special Committee for Honam Development.”
He added, “If the committee discusses the direction of Honam’s development and reports its results to the party, we will use those outcomes to negotiate with the government.” He also said, “I hope the committee can resolve long-standing projects for Honam, such as establishing a public medical school and expanding the public infrastructure network.”
Prior to the Supreme Council meeting, Jeong visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju. He is also scheduled to visit flood-affected areas in Muan County, Jeonnam, and hold a meeting with local residents, continuing his efforts to communicate with the people of Honam.
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