Ex-Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae declares bid for party leadership, denies presidential ambitions

Jung Chung-rae, a prominent figure in South Korea's Democratic Party, has officially declared his intention to seek the party's leadership for a second term. The announcement came during a press conference held at the National Assembly.

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I will become a strong reformist party leader once again.

Jung framed his candidacy around a platform of "reform and livelihoods," asserting that the two are intrinsically linked. "Reform is about livelihoods, and livelihoods are about reform," he stated, promising to use reform initiatives to address the needs of the people and leverage public support for further reform.

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I have no intention of running for president by using the party leader position.

A key point of his announcement was his explicit denial of any presidential ambitions tied to the party leadership. "I have no intention of running for president by using the party leader position," Jung declared. Instead, he positioned himself as a "key planner for presidential victory," signaling a focus on strengthening the party for future electoral success. He also pledged to work in "perfect harmony" with current party leader Lee Jae-myung, suggesting a strategy of internal unity.

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Reform is about livelihoods, and livelihoods are about reform.

Jung's campaign appears to be centered on a message of strong leadership and a commitment to the party's reform agenda. His declaration sets the stage for the upcoming August 17th party convention, where he will vie for a return to the leadership role.

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Trust me, Jung Chung-rae. Don't worry. I will work in perfect harmony with President Lee Jae-myung.