Jung Cheong-rae, who has expressed his intention to run for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that he has no issues if Park Chan-dae, who is mentioned as a competitor, becomes the leader. He mentioned plans to conduct the campaign by touring the country without engaging in negativity.

Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party of Korea floor leader (left), and Jeong Cheong-rae, the chairperson of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, are talking before the government question session on diplomacy, unification, and security at the National Assembly's main chamber in Yeouido, Seoul, on September 10th last year./Courtesy of News1

On the morning of the 17th, Jung appeared on the YouTube program 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and regarding Park's potential candidacy, he said, "I think he will run. We have spoken after meeting," adding, "We are very close and it doesn't matter if Park becomes the leader."

He also remarked, "I wondered if I would make friends to share a friendship after high school, but I found such a friend by becoming a member of the National Assembly," and expressed, "In this election, it would be nice to conduct a campaign like 'I don't mind if Park Chan-dae becomes the leader', and Park can say 'I don't mind if Jung Cheong-rae becomes the leader', which is something we haven't done before."

Jung further stated, "The principle of the campaign is not to engage in negativity and not to spend money," emphasizing, "Although people around me are asking if I should set up an office, I am simply thinking of traveling around the country with just a bag."

Since Jung announced his candidacy for the leadership on the 15th, an online petition titled 'I recommend Park Chan-dae as a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea' has been shared among party members. With the leadership election scheduled for the upcoming convention on Aug. 2, there are also concerns regarding the intensifying competition.

However, Jung has also shown his commitment to run for leadership by resigning from the position of Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The leader to be elected this time will serve due to the by-election following the presidential victory of Lee Jae-myung, with a term lasting until August of next year.

Jung noted, "Having been in politics for a long time, the pace I want to go matches so well with (former leader Lee Jae-myung) that the period we worked together was the most rewarding and happy period," and added, "The floor leader Kim Byeong-gi is also a perfect match for me, so I believe the combination of the president, party leader, and floor leader will work well together."

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.