Goyang: Four-term lawmaker Jung Chung-rae has been elected the new head of the ruling Democratic Party (DP). Jung secured 61.74 percent of the votes at the national party convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung, aged 60, is taking over from Lee Jae Myung, who was elected president in June. In the leadership race, Rep. Park Chan-dae finished second with 38.26 percent of the votes. The leadership decision was influenced by votes from DP delegates (15 percent), dues-paying members (55 percent), and a public poll (30 percent).
Jung received 66.48 percent support from dues-paying members, 46.91 percent from delegates, and 60.46 percent in the public poll. Prior to the convention, Jung had committed to empowering dues-paying members, marking a shift from the traditional focus on lawmakers and delegates.
In his victory speech, Jung stated, "My election is the win for DP members that yearn for the era of party member sovereignty and represents the people's wish for the success of the Lee Jae Myung government." He pledged to serve the wishes of the people and party members and to dedicate himself fully as the DP's chairman.
Jung plans to fulfill his commitment to reform the prosecution, media, and judiciary before the Chuseok holiday in early October. He announced the immediate formation of task forces for these reforms following the party convention.
Emphasizing alignment with the president, Jung remarked, "The Lee administration has to succeed in order for the DP to succeed and vice versa." He promised strong support for President Lee Jae Myung to ensure a cohesive government and party operation.
President Lee congratulated Jung on his election, highlighting the importance of "one team spirit" and effective collaboration for the people, as stated by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Kang also mentioned that Jung assured the party and government would collaborate closely to legislate reform measures swiftly.
The opposition People Power Party (PPP) extended congratulations to Jung, urging him to regard the PPP as a partner. PPP spokesperson Kwak Kyu-taek expressed concerns over Jung's hard-line stance and potential contentious approach towards the opposition. Kwak emphasized that the PPP would cooperate unconditionally if the DP focused on people's welfare and national interest.
Jung, however, expressed a lack of regard for the PPP as an equal political entity due to its connections with former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and removed from office. Jung criticized Yoon for not showing sufficient remorse for his actions and insisted on severe punishment for him and his supporters.
Jung asserted that the ongoing investigations into Yoon's insurrection charges might reveal complicit PPP members. He underscored the importance of punishing those involved in the insurrection to maintain national integrity.
In a subsequent media interaction, Jung stated he was not ready to cooperate with the PPP, citing unresolved issues related to the insurrection and constitutional violations.