Jeong Cheongrae: "One Member, One Vote Serves the Public Interest... The View That Someone Benefits More Is Misguided"

Jeong Cheongrae's Remarks on One Member, One Vote at the January 19 Executive Committee
"It Is Rare to Be Criticized for Keeping a Pledge"

As claims persist that the Democratic Party of Korea's push for a "one member, one vote" system for rights-holding party members is a move to secure Jeong Cheongrae's re-election as party leader, Jeong clarified, "(One member, one vote) serves the interests of the entire Democratic Party and all its rights-holding members," adding, "Framing it as the interest of any individual goes against the principle of equality and symmetry."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on January 16, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Democratic Party's Executive Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on January 19, Jeong concluded, "Adopting the fundamental democratic principle of one member, one vote is in the interest of the majority as a whole," and continued, "This public interest benefits both you and me. The perspective that someone benefits more than others is misguided." At the meeting, the committee passed an agenda item to submit a party constitution amendment for the one member, one vote system to the Central Committee.

Previously, on December 5 of last year, the proposal for a one member, one vote system for delegates and rights-holding members failed due to the lack of a majority in the Central Committee. Although Jeong recently announced plans to reintroduce the system, some have interpreted this as a measure to secure his re-election, arguing that its implementation should be postponed until after the next party convention.

Jeong stated, "To argue, 'Democracy means one person, one vote, and a direct presidential election, which benefits President Kim Daejung, so we shouldn't do it,' is not logical," and added, "While the existence of differing opinions can be seen as a reflection of democratic diversity, opposing something simply because it benefits an individual is an excessively pedantic argument."

He continued, "However, I still respect even those arguments," and added, "At today's Executive Committee meeting, except for two, all other members supported the one member, one vote system. I believe this represents the will of the Democratic Party."

He also remarked, "A 100% unanimous approval without any opposition is impossible," and emphasized, "I believe even the two opposing opinions should be respected. No one can be expected to think exactly the same as everyone else."

Nevertheless, Jeong asserted, "Decisions should be made according to the will of the overwhelming majority, and our Constitution stipulates that parliamentary decisions are determined by majority rule," adding, "I am very pleased that the one member, one vote system, which can be seen as a key symbol of the era of party member sovereignty befitting the era of popular sovereignty, was passed by an overwhelming majority at the Executive Committee today."

In conclusion, Jeong said, "I sincerely hope that the Central Committee will also pass this measure with a high participation rate," and continued, "I made this a core pledge during the party convention. While I have seen criticism for not keeping promises, it is extremely rare to be criticized for keeping them." He concluded, "Beyond the one member, one vote system, I will do my utmost to fulfill all other pledges and promises made to party members."

Meanwhile, at the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, pro-Jeong Cheongrae Supreme Council members Moon Jeongbok and Lee Seongyun, and pro-Lee Jaemyung lawmakers Lee Eonju and Hwang Myungseon, openly clashed over the one member, one vote system.