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Newly elected Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae (center) greets a farmer at a cucumber farm in Naju, South Jeolla Province, on August 3. / Source: Yonhap News

Rep. Jung Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party, who has long branded himself as a "party cannon," was elected the new party leader, signaling a shift toward a more confrontational stance against the opposition rather than cooperative governance.

According to political sources on August 3, Jung appointed Rep. Han Min-soo as his chief of staff and Rep. Kim Young-hwan as his political director, both of whom closely supported his leadership bid. First-term lawmaker Kwon Hyang-yeob, who worked with Jung during the last presidential campaign in South Jeolla Province, was tapped as party spokesperson.

Jung is reportedly seeking to fill key positions such as secretary-general and policy committee chair with policy experts known for their reformist leanings, creating a leadership team largely composed of his close allies, dubbed "Jung Cheong-rae’s people." During his leadership bid announcement on June 15, lawmakers Jang Kyung-tae, Choi Ki-sang, Moon Jeong-bok, Lim Oh-kyung, and Yang Moon-seok stood by his side.

Jang served with Jung on the party’s supreme council during President Lee Jae-myung’s tenure as party leader. Choi is well known for his role alongside Jung in leading impeachment efforts, with Jung serving as chair of the National Assembly’s impeachment committee and Choi as floor manager.

Other allies include Lim, who worked with Jung on the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, and Yang, who publicly endorsed Jung along with former Rep. Choi Min-hee. Former Blue House spokesman Park Soo-hyun also backed Jung.

After his election, Jung called Rep. Kang Sun-woo, pledging to be a "strong shield" for her amid ongoing "power abuse" allegations. Jung’s consistent support for Kang, in contrast to former rival Park Chan-dae’s call for her resignation, is seen as a move that won over the party’s hardline members and aides.

However, unresolved allegations surrounding Kang may force the Democratic Party to focus on public opinion management.

The opposition lashed out at Jung’s leadership. Rep. Joo Jin-woo, a leadership contender for the People Power Party, said, "Jung’s first message wasn’t about livelihood, the economy, or security. Instead, he focused on defending a lawmaker accused of power abuse, effectively declaring war on the public. We’ve seen Jung as Judiciary Committee chair—he only works for the party’s hardline base."