Jeong: "Second Round of Consumption Coupons Will Also Be Possible"
Economic Ministries Restructuring Excluded Through Party-Government Consultation
Maintaining Reform Momentum by Securing Public Support
The Democratic Party of Korea has launched a full-scale effort to win public support, including visiting a comprehensive agricultural and marine products market and excluding the restructuring of financial institutions from the proposed amendment to the Government Organization Act. This strategy is interpreted as an attempt to strengthen approval ratings ahead of the Chuseok holiday and to maintain momentum for reform.
On September 25, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu to check prices and listen to the opinions of market merchants.
Jeong mentioned the distribution of livelihood recovery consumption coupons, saying, "When I visited Mangwon Market in my constituency, I was told that sales increased by 30% thanks to the consumption coupons. I suffered from stress and sleepless nights due to the rebellion, but under the Lee Jaemyung administration, I felt a sense of pride that the consumption coupons provided at least some comfort. The second round of livelihood recovery consumption coupons will also serve their purpose."
He continued, "Since the government and the ruling party are responsible for the lives of the people, they must manage not only the KOSPI index but also water management, such as droughts and floods, as well as price stability." He then introduced government policies such as expanding the supply of key Chuseok products, pledging, "The government and the ruling party will do their utmost to listen to the difficulties people face and take all possible measures." Market merchants requested that the ruling party address the shortage of young workers, resolve parking issues, and expand the use of Onnuri gift certificates at wholesale markets.
Jeong Cheongrae, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is visiting the Garak-dong Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 25th to check prices ahead of Chuseok. From left to right: Moon Youngpyo, president of the Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation; Jeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung; Jeon Hyunhee, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea. September 25, 2025 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Additionally, before the National Assembly plenary session on this day, the Democratic Party leadership held an emergency party-government meeting and decided to exclude matters related to the restructuring of financial and economic ministries from the amendment to the Government Organization Act.
Han Jeongae, chair of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, told reporters after the meeting, "We have decided not to include in this government reorganization the separation of policy and supervisory functions of the Financial Services Commission and the establishment of a Financial Consumer Protection Agency, which were to be promoted as fast-track items," adding, "There was consensus that leaving government organizations related to finance in an unstable state for more than six months would not help overcome the economic crisis." The intention is to seek cooperation from the opposition for the passage of the Government Organization Act, while postponing the reorganization of economic ministries amid customs negotiations and the high exchange rate crisis.
The actions of the ruling party leadership on this day, one week before the Chuseok holiday and on the day of the plenary session, are interpreted as an effort by the Democratic Party to maintain an advantage in public sentiment during Chuseok. As the People Power Party criticizes the Democratic Party through outdoor rallies and filibusters, the Democratic Party aims to highlight livelihood issues to gain public support and to maintain strong momentum for reforms related to the judiciary and prosecution.
At the general meeting of party lawmakers held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Jeong urged Democratic Party members, "It is regrettable that lawmakers must remain on standby at the National Assembly at a time when they should be focusing on constituency activities ahead of Chuseok. However, it is at times like these that we must come together even more."
Jeong also met with Democratic Party members of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee to lend support to the confirmation hearing for Chief Justice nominee Cho Hui-dae. In a situation where concerns have been raised about judicial independence and the violation of the separation of powers, he sought to emphasize the justification for judicial reform. He stressed, "With a sense of historic mission, we will complete judicial reform in accordance with the will of the people and in the direction the people desire."
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