On August 17, Jung Cheong-rae, who failed to secure re-election as the leader of the Democratic Party, urged party members on August 18 not to leave the party, stating, "Please do not depart and stay with Jung Cheong-rae."
In a post on Facebook, Jung said, "Although I lost, the passionate spirit and determination of comrades ahead of reform have triumphed."
He expressed gratitude for the election of Choi Min-hee, Lee Seong-yun, and Han Min-soo, who are considered part of his faction, to the party leadership, calling it a "valuable achievement made by you (the party members)." He added, "I will quietly work from my position for reform and integration of the four regions."
Jung's message is interpreted as an effort to discourage the departure of his strong supporters, manage internal conflicts, and emphasize party sovereignty and reform principles to rally support.
Earlier, after the convention elections, Jung reportedly told reporters, "We must raise the banner of reform higher and move forward," and added, "Let’s meet again in a deeper and broader sea of democracy."
Additionally, on the previous day, he appealed on Facebook, asking, "Should we leave the owner's house?" and emphasized the need to raise the banner of a party that prioritizes member sovereignty.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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