"I will dedicate myself to the success of the Lee Jae-myung government"

4-term lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea officially declared his candidacy for the next party leadership election, signaling a direct confrontation.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Rep. Jeong held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center and stated, "I will open a party member sovereignty era suitable for the era of people's sovereignty," adding, "I will devote myself to the success of the Lee Jae-myung government."

He pointed out, "Three years ago, President Lee Jae-myung and I each dreamed of being president and party leader, but we had to fight together against the Yoon Seok-yeol’s dictatorial regime," and emphasized, "President Lee Jae-myung's dream has been realized, and now I challenge myself to be the party leader." He continued, "I will act as one body with President Lee Jae-myung. President Lee Jae-myung's fate is the same as Jeong Cheong-rae's fate."

"Ending the insurrection and completing reforms… committing all efforts to the success of the government"

Rep. Jeong diagnosed that "Ending the insurrection and ensuring the success of the Lee Jae-myung government are the remaining historical tasks" and pledged to fulfill this as the party leader.

He also stated, "The Democratic Party has a responsibility to faithfully execute the people's mandate together with President Lee Jae-myung," and promised, "I will work seamlessly with floor leader Kim Byung-ki to regularize monthly meetings between ministers and standing committees and party-government consultations."

Regarding the operation of the party, Rep. Jeong presented specific reform proposals.

He said, "I will realize a one-person, one-vote system in the Democratic Party," declaring, "The party leader will have one vote, the lawmakers will have one vote, and the rights party members will have one vote, creating a true democratic party." He added, "I will institutionalize the party member voting system and establish a party member sovereignty committee," stating that "major party policies will be decided by votes from all party members."

"Send Yoon Seok-yeol to prison and activate the reform task force immediately"

Rep. Jeong also made strong remarks directed at former President Yoon Seok-yeol.

He said, "I will quickly send the leader of the insurrection, Yoon Seok-yeol, to prison," and announced, "I will establish a special committee in the Democratic Party and the National Assembly to investigate and punish the illegal emergency declaration and insurrection actions of December 3rd."

He also stated, "I will promptly finish the reform work within six months," pledging, "Immediately after the party convention, I will activate the reform task forces for prosecutorial reform, judicial reform, and media reform to complete the three major reforms within this year."

In closing, Rep. Jeong Cheong-rae remarked, "The success of the Lee Jae-myung government is the success of the Democratic Party and the way to protect the people's lives," concluding his announcement of candidacy with, "I will surely fulfill that responsibility as the party leader."

Image source: News1