Newly elected Democratic Party of Korea leader Jeong Cheong-rae evaluated the results of the convention on the 2nd, stating, "This is the day when party members declared that they are the owners of the party." He also noted, "If there is no reflection and apology regarding the December 3 emergency martial law rebellion, I will not shake hands with the People Power Party," reaffirming a hardline stance toward the opposition. He reiterated that he would complete the three major reforms (prosecutors, media, judiciary) as emphasized during the convention process by the Chuseok holiday this year.
On the afternoon of the same day, at the second temporary convention of the Democratic Party held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Jeong secured 61.7% of the votes, comfortably surpassing his competitor Park Chan-dae, who received 38.26%, and rose to the position of the ruling party leader for the first time under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
After the convention, Jeong held a press conference on-site, stating, "Neither President Lee Jae-myung nor I were part of the party mainstream. The fact that President Lee has become president signifies that the mainstream of the Democratic Party has changed, and Jeong Cheong-rae becoming the party leader in the Democratic Party symbolizes that the period has come for party members, the true owners of the party, to determine the party's destiny."
He continued, "With this convention, a new history of the Democratic Party has begun, where the direction of the party is determined according to the will of the party members, the true owners," and stated, "I will be the tool of the party members."
Below is the full transcript of the Q&A session from the press conference of newly elected leader Jeong Cheong-rae.
—Regarding the major shareholder transfer tax criteria, the public sentiment appears negative; will there be a reexamination? Also, what is your stance on the government's tax reform proposal?
I would appreciate it if you only ask questions related to the convention today.
—You mentioned 'dissolving the rebellion party' regarding the People Power Party while emphasizing the eradication of rebellion over cooperation; what is your position on this?
They stormed into the National Assembly with guns in the hands of the martial law troops through the December 3 emergency martial law rebellion. They attempted to attack the Constitution and destroy it. They were actually trying to kill lives. An apology and reflection regarding that must come first. Otherwise, I will not shake hands with them. Thorough reflection and apology are necessary, and if there are still elements supporting Yoon Suk-yeol within the People Power Party, how can I possibly cooperate with them? Furthermore, as it will be revealed through the special investigation into the rebellion, there are accomplices and abettors of rebellion within the People Power Party. I believe that the public demand for a constitutional review to dissolve the unconstitutional party will naturally rise, and I will make wise judgments as the party leader then.
—I believe you had an advantage in public opinion polls throughout the election campaign. Were there any challenging moments during your campaign?
Throughout the election campaign period, I saw the eyes of party members a lot on the ground and felt their enthusiasm, so I did not feel it was significantly difficult. I trusted only the party members to get here. I thought about what to do when I felt overwhelmed and lonely, but frankly, that didn't happen often. When I went to the field, I could feel the support and warmth from the party members, which was comforting and allowed me to run vigorously. The hearts of party members and the sentiments in Yeouido don't align. I believe that if we diligently cover the news, the media's coverage mechanisms driven by election engineering, political engineering, and media manipulation will change in the future.
—You said you would not shake hands without reflection and introspection from the People Power Party, but establishing relationships between the ruling and opposition parties will be an important task. Do you have plans to meet with Song Eon-seok, the People Power Party emergency committee chair, and how will you approach opposition relationship management?
We are currently in a war against rebellion. I believe this is not about the ruling and opposition parties. It is a conflict between those who tried to obliterate democracy and destroy the Constitution and those who are trying to protect the Constitution and democracy. I believe the people of Korea delivered a severe command over the past six months to protect the Constitution and democracy. I want to clearly state that I will move according to the people's command and go where the party members want me to go.
—You said you were in a war against rebellion, but the economy is also struggling. As the leader of the ruling party, what do you consider the top issue for people's livelihoods, and do you have any policies in mind to revitalize the economy?
Throughout the convention period, I told the president to focus solely on his work while I handle the fighting. Reform is something done through legislation in the National Assembly. Through that legislation, I believe we can take care of people's livelihoods as well, so as the Democratic Party leader, I will accelerate the reform work and support the executive branch in properly looking after people's livelihoods.
—You mentioned you would complete the three major reform tasks before Chuseok, stating the party's sentiments; how will you address any gaps between the party's sentiments and general public opinion during the reform process?
The sentiments of party members and the sentiments of the public are not different. The hearts of the Democratic Party's members and the citizens supporting the Lee Jae-myung administration align. Additionally, finishing the prosecutorial reform, judicial reform, and media reform before Chuseok is the supreme command of the people. Reform inevitably faces resistance. I will break through that resistance with my whole being.
—Looking at the results of this election, it appears you received many votes from party members but fell short in delegate votes. What factors do you think influenced the outcome?
The convention has concluded. I ask the journalists to analyze the voting results related to the convention. I believe today's event is finished as I received support from Democratic Party members and the public. I agreed to meet with Park Chan-dae as soon as possible. Park Chan-dae and I decided not to part ways throughout the convention period. We will move forward hand in hand for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae are inseparable political comrades. If anyone expected a separation between the two during the election, I would suggest that expectation be abandoned quickly.