Jung Chung-rae Emphasizes Party Sovereignty; Likely to Formalize Bid for Reelection Around June 24

Observers say that Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Representative Jung Chung-rae is moving toward launching a bid for reelection, as he continues to emphasize "party member sovereignty" despite facing calls to take responsibility for the party's defeat in the June 3 local elections.

This is because he is attempting to win over the party's rank-and-file by sending messages to rally his core base of hardline supporters, even while appearing to clash with President Lee Jae-myung—who has recently mentioned theories of a "broad-minded ruling party" and "responsible politics."

During a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Wednesday (June 17), Jung mentioned that the "one-person, one-vote" system—which treats the votes of dues-paying party members and delegates with equal value—will be implemented at the August national convention, saying, "Once the one-person, one-vote system is implemented, factions within the party will disappear."

He added, "Lawmakers will be able to focus on their legislative activities without having to worry about factional bosses, and their political paths will be determined by the evaluation of party members. While I oppose and dislike being labeled under any faction, if I had to distinguish myself, I am a 'party-member faction' and a 'reformist.'"

Previously, on June 11, Jung posted on Facebook, directly mentioning a news headline stating that Representatives Jeon Hyun-hee and Kim Nam-hee argued for supplementing the "one-person, one-vote" system. He wrote, "The one-person, one-vote system is democracy itself. Democracy must be protected," openly targeting lawmakers of his own party by name.

Jung's remarks are interpreted as a move to rally his hardline supporters by refuting the opinions of some lawmakers who argue that the "one-person, one-vote" system needs adjustments to prevent a disconnect with public sentiment.

In particular, his comment that "lawmakers' political paths can be determined by party members' evaluations" can be read as a message directed at the pro-Lee Jae-myung (pro-Myung) faction, which has been pressuring him not to run in the upcoming national convention.

This is because, following President Lee Jae-myung's social media post stating that "the ruling party's passion must be directed toward the entire nation," members of the pro-Myung faction have criticized Jung as being "unsuitable as the ruling party leader." Jung's remarks can be interpreted as expressing his determination to run in the convention and face the evaluation of party members.

On the previous day (June 16), Jung also highlighted party sovereignty, saying, "The owners of the party are its members. The party is run by its members, who are its owners."

If Jung decides to run in the national convention, he is expected to resign from his post as party leader around June 24.

Although the party constitution and rules do not specify a resignation deadline for a leader seeking reelection, there is a precedent set by President Lee Jae-myung when he ran for a consecutive term as DPK leader in 2024.

President Lee resigned from the leadership on June 24, 2024, which was 55 days before the August 18 national convention and two days before the formation of the National Convention Preparation Committee.

This coming June 24 is 54 days before the upcoming national convention and two days before the formation of the preparation committee.

An associate close to Jung said in a phone call, "If Representative Jung decides to run, his resignation will likely take place before the Supreme Council meeting on June 24," adding, "He will follow President Lee's precedent."

While Jung has not yet formalized his bid for reelection, voices within the party continue to pressure him not to run.

Representative Lee Geon-tae, a member of the pro-Myung faction, said on SBS Radio, "I think Representative Jung lacks sufficient justification to run for reelection," adding, "The party members' evaluation of the election results is not favorable, and Jung's leadership style seems to clash with the state administration philosophy mentioned by President Lee."

Representative Lee pointed out, "His remarks on the 'one-person, one-vote' system can easily be interpreted as an appeal to his supporters with reelection in mind," adding, "Party members will likely feel very uncomfortable with him making remarks that are seen as laying the groundwork for reelection while still holding the position of party leader."

The party leadership, divided into pro-leadership and non-leadership factions, refrained from harsh public clashes on Wednesday but still took jabs at each other during the Supreme Council meeting.

Pro-leadership Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon said, "Recently, there have been many arguments trying to shake up and politicize the concept of a party-member sovereign party and the one-person, one-vote system," adding, "No one can deny or disparage the history of the development of party-member sovereignty in the Democratic Party, which has been carried on through Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung."

Non-leadership Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu criticized Jung's formation of a local election evaluation committee, saying, "It is difficult to gain the trust of the public and party members if those responsible for the election evaluate themselves," adding, "The white paper must not become a document for evading responsibility."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.