Democratic Party Faces Internal Strife Over Election Losses; Leader Jeong Cheong-rae Under Fire

The Democratic Party is grappling with internal fallout after securing only a "half-victory" in the recent June 3 local elections, with significant losses in symbolically important districts fueling intense criticism. Calls for accountability are mounting against party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, particularly from factions within the pro-Lee Jae-myung camp who are dissatisfied with the outcomes in races like the Seoul mayoral election and by-elections in Pyeongtaek-eul and Busan Buk-gap. This internal discord signals an early heating up of the party leadership race, with the upcoming national convention in August or September expected to become a proxy battleground between anti-Jeong and pro-Jeong factions.

“

There are many members who are texting me saying, 'Resign, Jeong Cheong-rae, drag him out.'

Prominent figures vying for party leadership have already begun targeting Jeong. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, speaking in Gwangju, acknowledged both the joys and disappointments of the election results, stressing the need for the party to be more vigilant and innovative. Former party leader Song Young-gil, who recently returned to the National Assembly through a by-election, also criticized Jeong, questioning his support for candidates like Kim Yong-nam in Pyeongtaek-eul, where Jeong served as the honorary campaign chairman. These moves are seen as attempts by the two leading contenders to solidify their claims for the party leadership.

Further pressure on Jeong comes from within the pro-Lee faction. Kim Yong, former vice president of the Democratic Research Institute and a potential candidate for supreme council, stated that Jeong must express genuine remorse for the election results and outline how he will take responsibility. Some interpret Kim's remarks as reflecting President Lee's intention to curb Jeong's potential re-election and reshape the party's power dynamics.

“

Compared to starting the election with the president's approval rating, the results were not as expected.

Concerns are also surfacing among party members and lawmakers. Rep. Yang Bu-nam reported receiving numerous text messages from party members demanding Jeong's resignation. Rep. Kim Han-gyu noted that the election results fell short of expectations, given the president's approval ratings at the start of the campaign, with several lawmakers privately referring to the outcome as a defeat rather than a victory. The party is set to begin discussions on the schedule for its national convention, with potential dates in August or September being considered.

“

We are considering three options for the national convention: August 17, August 30, or September 6.