Ex-Democratic Party Leader Jeong Calls for Unity, Cites Party Roots

Jeong Cheong-rae, a contender for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party, has called for party unity, emphasizing the importance of preserving its historical legacy. "The history of the Democratic government cannot be thrown into chaos through division," Jeong stated on Facebook, likening the party's roots to those of past leaders like Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in.

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You cannot make flowers bloom by cutting off the roots. Denying the roots will cause the flowers to wither.

Jeong drew a parallel between the party's foundation and the natural world, asserting, "You cannot make flowers bloom by cutting off the roots. Denying the roots will cause the flowers to wither." He shared personal reflections from a visit to his mother's ancestral home in Wanju, a village facing submersion due to dam construction. "I visited the birthplace of my mother's hometown, which I thought I would never see again," he wrote, adding, "I am finding my roots and thinking about the fundamentals."

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I visited the birthplace of my mother's hometown, which I thought I would never see again.

Further underscoring his connection to the past, Jeong also visited a holy site in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province, and had previously visited the graves of his parents in Wanju. He is set to participate in the National Democratic Leaders Conference (KDLC) later today, where he will present his policy proposals alongside other party leadership candidates. The visit to his mother's hometown and the holy site appear to be part of his effort to connect with the party's base and emphasize continuity.

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I am finding my roots and thinking about the fundamentals.