Lee Jae-myung's government has received a challenge from the Democratic Party of Korea's new chairperson candidate, Representative Jeong Cheong-rae, who has served four terms and represents Seoul's Mapo District. He stated that he aims to conclude the three major reforms (prosecution, judicial, media) this year and will pursue legislative tasks with speed. He also pledged to strengthen member rights by abolishing the delegate voting system, institutionalizing a party-wide voting system, and reflecting social media activity indexes in next year's local election nominations to open an era of 'party member sovereignty.'
On the afternoon of that day, Representative Jeong held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication hall and said, 'Three years ago, President Lee Jae-myung and I dreamed of becoming the leader of the Democratic Party. However, that dream had to be postponed, and Lee Jae-myung became the party leader while I had to fight against the tyrannical regime of Yoon Suk-yeol as a supreme council member,' adding, 'The dream of President Lee Jae-myung has come true. Now, finally, I am challenging for the party leadership.'
'To ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government, I will act like one body with President Lee Jae-myung as the chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea,' he said, emphasizing, 'The fate of President Lee Jae-myung is the fate of Jeong Cheong-rae. Lee Jae-myung is Jeong Cheong-rae, and Jeong Cheong-rae is Lee Jae-myung.'
Representative Jeong promised to complete the mission of 'ending insurrection' and to back the Lee Jae-myung government as 'one team.'
He said, 'The regime has changed, and the Lee Jae-myung Democratic government has been established. The remaining historical task is the swift end of insurrection and the success of the Lee Jae-myung government,' and added, 'As before, I will become the party leader and complete that mission.'
He also emphasized that he shares a 'community of destiny' with President Yoon. He said, 'I understand President Lee Jae-myung's political philosophy better than anyone. I know well the path and the work he wishes to undertake. President Lee Jae-myung and I are comrades and best friends who align in political direction and speed,' and he appealed, 'I will synchronize with the government through the best relationship between the party and the government.' Representative Jeong also mentioned, 'I confidently say that I have worked hard for the election of President Lee by visiting rural markets and going to the most familiar places for the Democratic Party.'
To ensure smooth relations between the party and the government, he promised to hold monthly regular meetings between committee heads and deputy ministers as well as party-government consultations. Representative Jeong said, 'I will coordinate opinions with the government and discuss policy direction with the presidential office in advance to ensure that the Lee Jae-myung government's policies for the people proceed timely, properly, and effectively.'
He also vowed to promote the following ten measures for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government: abolishing the delegate voting system; establishing a special committee to investigate and punish the illegal martial law and insurrection act of December 3; concluding the reforms of prosecution, judiciary, and media this year; building an open nomination system and electing basic proportional representatives through member voting; institutionalizing the party-wide voting system and mandating education of party members in regional committees at least once a month; expanding the member rewards system and holding an all-member concert before the year ends; reflecting social media activity indexes in local election nominations; holding an annual policy fair for members; and integrating the member lounge and the complaints office.
Regarding strengthening member rights, he promised to decide major party policies through party-wide votes and to raise the current participation of party members in the candidacy for national assembly leader and speaker from 20%.
In response to concerns about whether strengthening member rights contradicts national unity, Representative Jeong stated, 'To create a strong Democratic Party, party members must become a strong democratic party. For this, the exercise of the sovereignty of party members must be fully guaranteed and realized,' adding, 'The strengthening of member rights does not infringe on the rights of lawmakers but rather enhances them together. That is, in fact, more integrative.'
Regarding the implementation measures for the three major reform tasks, he expressed his intent to proceed with the legislative proposals currently presented within the party. Representative Jeong said, 'What some lawmakers have proposed is not new. Minor adjustments might be necessary, but we must push forward with the general direction.' He also noted about media and judicial reforms, 'Generally, the content and direction have already been established, haven't they?' and added, 'I will form a task force immediately after the party convention, present a plan there, and once it is organized through discussions with party members and lawmakers, I will propose the legislation.'
Some Democratic Party representatives have recently proposed four bills related to prosecution reform, which mainly focus on the abolition of the prosecution service and the establishment of the public prosecution service, serious crimes investigation agency, and national investigation committee. They have also proposed a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 30 and an amendment to the Constitutional Court Act allowing constitutional complaints against court rulings.
When asked about plans to avoid a vertical relationship between the party and the government, he replied, 'It is ambiguous to simply categorize parts as mechanical and vertical.' He stated, 'As each fulfills their role, through the functions of coordination and adjustment, we can certainly move forward in harmony.'
He continued, 'I believe President Lee Jae-myung was probably well aware that I would run for the party chair after the presidential election,' adding, 'I think he might be cheering for me in his heart.'
The position of Democratic Party leader has been vacant since the former leader, President Lee Jae-myung, resigned to run in the presidential election on April 9. Although the term lasts until August 2026, which is the remaining term of the previous leader, it is a 'one-year term,' but competition is expected to be fierce as they can exercise nomination rights in next year's local elections. Another potential candidate for the party leadership is Representative Park Chan-dae. Representative Park stated at his farewell press conference in December that he is 'thinking about the tasks of the new government, the tasks of our Democratic Party, and the roles that need to be fulfilled as a member of the National Assembly.'