Jeong Cheong-rae Declares 'All Pro-Lee Jae-myung' Amidst Shifting Power Dynamics in Democratic Party

Ahead of the August 17 party convention, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae has launched a direct challenge against claims of internal factionalism. At a supreme council meeting, Jeong dismissed talk of "pro-Jeong" or "pro-Seok" factions as malicious division tactics. He asserted that all Democratic Party members are united in their support for the success of the "Lee Jae-myung government," framing any factional distinctions as illusory.

Jeong emphasized that his key pledge, a one-person-one-vote system, would lead to the dissolution of party factions. However, this assertion faces counterarguments that, given the concentration of one-third of party members in the Honam region, the system would not eliminate factions but merely change the form of the competition for party members' votes.

The party is facing significant pressure. A signature campaign calling for Jeong's resignation or non-candidacy for re-election is underway within the 210,000-member "Jae-myeong Village" online community. Furthermore, a conflict involving Noh Moo-hyun Foundation figures has spilled over into clashes among supporters. Meanwhile, rumors of an alliance between Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil, both active in the Honam region, are circulating.

The most damaging blow comes from public opinion polls. President Lee's job disapproval rating has, for the first time since taking office, surpassed his approval rating. Similarly, the People Power Party has overtaken the Democratic Party in party support for the first time. Even the success of the president's overseas trip has been overshadowed. While Jeong insists there are no factions, the cost of this stance is being reflected in declining approval ratings. The article questions whether Jeong's direct approach is a message of unity or a mere alibi for persistence, and similarly probes the strategy of People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, who has taken a prominent role in by-election campaigns and vote count protests despite warnings from local elections.