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Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate for the Democratic Party chairmanship, speaks during a national convention of the Democratic National Reform Council—a major pro-Lee Jae-myung faction—held at Osco in Cheongju on June 29. / Source: Yonhap News

Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate in the Democratic Party leadership race, declared on June 29 that he would push through prosecution reform "like lightning" before the Chuseok holiday, signaling an accelerated legislative timeline. He pledged to take the lead in political battles so that President Lee Jae-myung can focus solely on governing.

Speaking at a national convention of the Democratic National Reform Council—regarded as the largest pro-Lee Jae-myung faction outside the party’s formal structure—held at the Osco Grand Ballroom in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Jeong opened by introducing himself as “the former Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair who led the charge to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol,” citing the Constitutional Court's impeachment decision.

“We’re not in an era of peace but at war with insurrection,” Jeong said. “We need to build a powerful wartime command structure.”

Stressing that the party must take the lead in reform battles for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, Jeong said, “The People Power Party will never cooperate easily on prosecution, judicial, or media reform. We cannot win without fighting. Flowery words like ‘unity, stability, cooperation’ should be reserved for the presidential office—our party must fight to win, and I will be at the forefront.”

He also outlined a specific timeline for prosecution reform, taking aim at his rival Park Chan-dae. “Park said we’d get it done by Chuseok dinner, but I promise you’ll hear on the car radio that the prosecution has been abolished before you even arrive in your hometown,” he told supporters.

As a party reform pledge, Jeong advocated for a “one person, one vote” system to empower grassroots members. “Every election in this country—presidential, parliamentary, local—is one person, one vote. So why does the Democratic Party give delegates 15 votes and dues-paying members just one?” he asked. “I will make our party truly democratic, where the president, party leader, and every ordinary member all have one equal vote.”

Finally, Jeong reaffirmed his “one team” alliance with rival Park Chan-dae. “Park and I have decided not to part ways,” he said. “No matter who tries to divide us, we’ll hold firm and work together to the end for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.”