Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, was elected as the first ruling party leader of the Lee Jae-myung government. Although the term only lasts a year until August next year, taking over from former President Lee Jae-myung, it holds great significance as the first ruling party leader of the Lee Jae-myung government and in overseeing the nominations for the local elections scheduled for June 3 next year.
The Democratic Party held a national party convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 2nd, confirming Jeong Cheong-rae as the party leader. Jeong received 61.74% of the votes, defeating Park Chan-dae, who received 38.26%. This result reflects the combined votes of party members (55%), delegates (15%), and a public opinion poll (30%).
In prior voting carried out last month among party members in the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, Jeong had already significantly outpaced Park. At that time, Jeong recorded 62.77% and 62.55%, respectively, while Park received 37.23% and 37.45%, showing a substantial gap.
The same results were seen on the day during the party member primaries in the Honam, Gyeonggi/Incheon, and Seoul/Gangwon/Jeju regions. In the Honam party member vote, Jeong garnered 124,657 votes, achieving a 66.49% support rate, outpacing Park, who received 62,815 votes, or 33.51%.
In the Gyeonggi/Incheon region, Jeong received 123,887 votes, recording a 68.25% support rate, while Park managed only 57,256 votes, or 31.75%. In Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju, Jeong also led with 96,521 votes at a 67.45% support rate, while Park had 46,582 votes at 32.55%.
In general public opinion polls, Jeong received a support rate of 60.46%, widening the gap against Park. The public opinion poll targeted supporters of the Democratic Party and undecided voters selected randomly by the polling agency.
While Park secured first place in the delegate vote, receiving 53.09% (6,951 votes), the difference in support rates with Jeong (46.91%, 6,142 votes) was not overwhelming.
Jeong, the new leader, is regarded as a prominent hardliner within the party. In this party leader election, he has rallied support with strong messages such as calling for the 'dissolution of the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party' and 'introducing a one-person, one-vote system at the national convention.' Jeong is expected to support the Lee Jae-myung government as a 'pro-Lee' party leader and adopt a tough stance toward opposition.
Immediately after being elected, he stated in his acceptance speech, 'My election as party leader is a victory for the party members who yearn for a new era of party sovereignty,' adding, 'It reflects the people's hopes for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government.'
At this national convention, one Supreme Council member was also elected alongside the party leader. The Supreme Council member elected was Hwang Myung-sun, who ran uncontested and is a former mayor of Nonsan.