Defeated Chung Sye-kyun: 'Organization was too strong this time'

Chung Sye-kyun, a candidate for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party, conceded defeat following the party's national convention on August 17. He acknowledged the loss, stating, "We lost in numbers, but we did not lose in values and passion."

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We lost in numbers, but we did not lose in values and passion.

Addressing supporters after the convention where Kim Min-seok was elected as the new party leader, Chung remarked, "Organizations cannot overcome the wind. But this time, the organization was too strong." He apologized to his supporters for not being a "sharpshooter" who could account for the "wind," a metaphor likely referring to the party's internal organizational power.

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Organizations cannot overcome the wind. But this time, the organization was too strong.

Despite his loss, Chung declared that his supporters had won and vowed to continue pursuing "4-way integration" and progressive unity. "Just as a river does not give up on the sea, we cannot lower the flag of reform. We must raise the flag of reform higher and advance," he stated, emphasizing the party's commitment to reform.

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Just as a river does not give up on the sea, we cannot lower the flag of reform. We must raise the flag of reform higher and advance.

Chung also stressed the importance of winning the general and presidential elections for the success of the "Lee Jae-myung government." He argued that achieving victory requires the unified efforts of all who supported past Democratic presidents, including Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung, and called for broader integration with other progressive forces to strengthen the party and earn public trust.

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Winning the general election and the presidential election is the only way to successfully conclude the Lee Jae-myung administration.