On Day of Supreme Council and Floor Leader Elections, Ruling Party Stresses Internal Unity... Jeong: "Whoever Is Elected, We Must Join Hands" (Comprehensive)

Jeong Cheongrae: "Supporting the Lee Jaemyung Administration as One Team, One Voice"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized unity on the 11th regarding the party's Supreme Council and Floor Leader by-elections, stating, "No matter who is elected, it seems we must join hands and swiftly and accurately resolve each of the tasks ahead of us together."

At the general assembly of lawmakers held that afternoon at the main building of the National Assembly to elect the new floor leader, Jeong said, "Each of the tasks before us is weighty and essential for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration," reiterating his call for cooperation.

He noted that the party must overcome internal tensions, which have been perceived as conflicts between pro-Lee Jaemyung and pro-Jeong Cheongrae factions, especially with major political issues looming, such as the second comprehensive special counsel, special prosecutors for the Unification Church and Shincheonji, judicial reform, the integration of Daejeon-Chungnam and Gwangju-Jeonnam, and over 200 livelihood-related bills.

Jeong further emphasized, "We share the common goal of ensuring the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration and, to that end, winning the local elections. While we may compete fiercely within the party during the floor leader election, once the results are in, we must become one team and one voice to tackle the challenges and responses ahead."

Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, at the joint campaign speech for Supreme Council candidates held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Jeong also appeared conscious of the pro-Lee versus pro-Jeong dynamics, stating, "No matter which of the four candidates becomes a Supreme Council member, I promise that we will firmly support the Lee Jaemyung administration as one team and one voice."

Addressing recent criticisms of the so-called "Myeong-Cheong" conflict and discord between the party and government, he pointed out, "There are media outlets and people who, hoping the Democratic Party will become weaker or make mistakes, spread various negative narratives."

In this Supreme Council by-election, Kang Deukgu and Lee Sungyun, considered pro-Lee Jaemyung lawmakers, and Moon Jeongbok and Lee Sungyun, classified as pro-Jeong Cheongrae, have declared their candidacies. Yoo Dongcheol, executive chairman of the Democratic National Innovation Council and a pro-Lee Jaemyung candidate, withdrew from the race.

Jeong once again highlighted the "one person, one vote" system, which had previously failed to be implemented. He said, "We refer to the era when a single person made all decisions as the age of absolute monarchy. The development of democracy is a process where the number of decision-makers evolves from a few to many, and from many to all members."

He continued, "In that regard, although the Democratic Party may still have shortcomings, we have continuously expanded the number of voters involved in decision-making. And finally, there is a strong will among party members to implement one person, one vote within the Democratic Party."

He added, "Although the candidates' numbers and names are all different, our single goal is the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration. We have come this far with one voice for victory in the June 3rd local elections and party unity. The Democratic Party will contest the June 3rd local elections, holding the party flag high, for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."

Yonhap News Agency