Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea leadership, stated that there will "absolutely be no split" following the party's convention on August 17. He emphasized the need for unity amid ongoing conflicts between factions within the party.
During a press meeting held on October 10 at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council, Jung remarked, "Do not even ask about a split," and expressed his desire for initiatives like member forums or cleansing rituals to foster unity. He suggested that it is essential to openly address the reasons behind their discord and misunderstandings.
He noted, "There will be both winners and losers among the candidates in the convention," adding that the winners should comfort the losers, while the latter should accept the results and cooperate.
Jung also stated, "Without internal unity, external expansion is impossible," and called for consolidating the party's traditional support base while quickly integrating with the Justice Reform Party. He urged collaboration with the Progressive Party to establish a fifth democratic government.
Furthermore, he asserted, "Anyone aspiring to be party leader should not have a history of leaving the party. Even though I was not selected for candidacy, it seems that party members appreciate my commitment to prioritizing the party over personal interests."
Meanwhile, Jung is currently trailing slightly behind Kim Min-seok after the second round of the traveling primary. However, with the upcoming primaries in the Honam and Seoul-Gyeonggi regions in the third week, there is potential for a turnaround.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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