Lee Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appointed incumbent lawmaker Jo Seung-rae as the secretary general, which is a 'key party position', and Han Jeong-ae, a four-term lawmaker, as the chair of the policy committee on the 3rd.
On that day, after a closed meeting of the Supreme Council at the National Assembly, Lee said to reporters, "We decided to appoint Jo Seung-rae as the secretary general and Han Jeong-ae as the chair of the policy committee after consulting with the Supreme Council members."
Lee explained the background of the appointments, stating, "Jo has grown into a seasoned politician representing the Chungcheong region, with a very meticulous and competent ability to handle tasks" and noted, "I judged that he is the most suitable person to take charge as the secretary general, responsible for winning next year's local elections."
As for Han as the chair of the policy committee, he stated, "She is well known as a policy brain who dealt with policies at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions as an expert in environmental labor" and added, "There is also an evaluation that she did a great job as a minister." He continued, "I judged that she is suitable for the role of coordinating policy between the party and the government and achieving legislative results in the National Assembly."
Secretary General Jo (Yuseong-gu, Daejeon) currently serves as the spokesperson for the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning. He has served as the secretary of the Education Committee in the 20th National Assembly and the secretary of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee in the 21st National Assembly, and in 2022 he was chair of the strategy planning committee for the emergency response committee, receiving evaluations for possessing both policy and political experience.
Han, chair of the policy committee (Gangseo-gu, Seoul), served as the Minister of Environment under the Moon Jae-in administration and has previously served as the chair of the Democratic Party's policy committee in the early days of the 21st National Assembly.
Following the announcement of the appointments by Lee, Secretary General Jo expressed, "I will strive to ensure that the Democratic Party becomes a party where members can fully exercise their capabilities, not only at the central party level but also in local committees and in every corner of our country." He added, "I will give my all to build the Democratic Party to fit the era of member sovereignty, working together with Leader Lee Cheong-rae. With this power, I will do my utmost to ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and win next year's local elections."
The chair of the policy committee stated, "Year one of the ruling party must set the agenda for the Lee Jae-myung administration that needs to be carried out over five years," and noted, "I will strive to unite the members in our hearts to decide what tasks exist and how to proceed with the pace of these tasks." He continued, "In that process, the party, government, and the presidential office must become one. I will fulfill that role faithfully and well."