Jeong Cheongrae Holds First Press Conference 147 Days After Taking Office
"Second Comprehensive and Unification Church Special Prosecutor to Be Pursued Swiftly"
One Member, One Vote System to Be Reintroduced Next Month... "Dismantling Factionalism"
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his determination to continue the party's stance of "settling the insurrection" in the new year by highlighting the "Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act" as the first bill to be promoted next year during his inaugural press conference. He also announced plans to reintroduce the "one-member, one-vote" system for party members, which was recently voted down, describing it as a clever solution to dismantle factional culture within the political sphere, with a renewed push scheduled for next month.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 26th. 2025.12.26 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
In his opening remarks at the press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 26th, Jeong stated, "We will push forward with the second comprehensive special prosecutor and the Unification Church special prosecutor as quickly as possible," adding, "We cannot take a single step back or rest even for a moment in our efforts to settle the insurrection and complete reforms."
Regarding the second comprehensive special prosecutor, Jeong emphasized, "We will focus on thoroughly investigating the unresolved issues from the three major special prosecutors, so that we can put a definitive end to all suspicions." He added, "We must fully uncover the details of the December 3 Martial Law Insurrection, including the Nosangwon notebook, Yeo Inhyeong memo, Chae Haebyeong case lobbying allegations, and the state corruption involving Kim Geonhee and Yoon Sukyeol, as well as all acts of state corruption by the Yoon Sukyeol administration."
Addressing the People Power Party, Jeong warned of the possibility of party dissolution while mentioning the Unification Church special prosecutor. He stated, "We must thoroughly reveal the allegations of illegal political donations by the People Power Party during the 2022 presidential election," and added, "Collusion between religion and politics is unconstitutional in itself and directly violates the basic order of democracy." He continued, "If it is confirmed that former floor leader Choo Kyungho of the People Power Party obstructed the vote to lift martial law, and if the collusion between the People Power Party and the Unification Church is found to be guilty, I once again emphasize that the People Power Party should be dissolved as an unconstitutional party."
By selecting the "Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act" as the first bill of the new year, Jeong reiterated his commitment to settling the insurrection. When asked by reporters about the bill that should be prioritized next year, he responded, "If it were physically possible, I would have liked to pass the second comprehensive and Unification Church special prosecutor bills this year, but given the circumstances, it seems that the special prosecutor act will have to be passed at the very beginning of the new year. I believe the first bill of the new year should be the Second Comprehensive Additional Special Prosecutor Act, and at the same time, the Unification Church special prosecutor should also be promoted." He also mentioned the need for swift judicial reforms, such as criminalizing distortion of the law, introducing constitutional complaints, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices, while delivering strong criticism of the judiciary under Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 26th. 2025.12.26 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Regarding the one-member, one-vote system for party members, which was voted down at the party's Central Committee on the 5th, Jeong announced plans to reintroduce it immediately after the Supreme Council by-election scheduled for January 11. He said, "I believe the one-member, one-vote system can dismantle the factional culture in politics." He explained, "When there are factional gatherings and policy forums, lawmakers are concerned about nominations and end up attending factional meetings. If the one-member, one-vote system is implemented, there will be no need to form factions in the future. Those who are well evaluated by local residents will simply be nominated." Jeong added that, if necessary, he would ask all party members to express their opinions on the reintroduction of the one-member, one-vote system.
Jeong also announced plans to establish the Korean Peninsula Peace New Strategy Committee. He said, "The committee will be composed of the top experts on Korean Peninsula peace issues, including former Unification Minister Jeong Sehyun, Professor Moon Chungin, and former Unification Minister Lee Jaejeong," adding, "We have meaningfully structured the committee, including co-chairs and working-level subcommittees."
In a situation where the Unification Church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are experiencing conflict between the self-reliance and alliance factions, Jeong expressed support for the self-reliance faction. He stated, "I believe the greatest challenge and the root of all contradictions in the Republic of Korea lies in the division issue, and my entry into politics was also motivated by the desire to overcome division and achieve national unification." Referring to the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Jeong said, "270,000 North Korean workers and 30,000 South Korean workers will be able to work there. The fact that 30,000 South Korean workers are working in Kaesong means there is no possibility of war. The Kaesong Industrial Complex has always been described as the breathing hole of inter-Korean relations. I am determined to open it by all means and am giving it a lot of thought."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 26th. 2025.12.26 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Regarding the recurring criticism of "discord between the party and government" and "self-serving politics" whenever reform legislation is pursued, Jeong drew a clear line, saying, "There has never been discord between the party and government, nor has there been any self-serving politics. Since my inauguration, we have never handled major bills unilaterally without coordination among the party, government, and presidential office."
Addressing concerns that the recently passed Act on the Prohibition of False and Manipulated Information (amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act) does not limit the right of politicians and other powerful figures to claim punitive damages and could be abused, Jeong said, "Members of the National Assembly are also pure citizens and natural persons of the Republic of Korea," adding, "I cannot agree with the idea that lawmakers should simply endure damages just because they are lawmakers." Progressive parties and other pro-government groups argue that the bill violates the principles of clarity and proportionality, and are calling on the president to exercise his right to request reconsideration.
Regarding the allegations and conflicts surrounding Kim Byungki, the Democratic Party's floor leader, and his former aides, Jeong stated, "I am watching the situation very seriously." He added, "During a phone call the previous day, floor leader Kim expressed his apologies to the public, party members, and to me personally. He also said he would clarify his position in a few days. I will wait and see until then."
This press conference was Jeong's first since taking office 147 days ago. Although an emergency press conference was held on the 5th, when the one-member, one-vote system was ultimately voted down, Jeong did not take questions from reporters and left after making a statement.
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