Jo Seung-rae: President's call for ruling party 'responsibility' not aimed at leadership

Democratic Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae on June 14 refuted interpretations that President Lee Jae-myung's recent message urging the ruling party to focus on 'responsibility' rather than 'conviction' was directed at specific leadership figures. Jo asserted that such readings distort the president's intent.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, Jo explained that the president's message, posted on X (formerly Twitter), was intended to emphasize the ruling party's approach to state affairs following the local elections. "The ruling party's passion should be directed towards the entire nation, not just 'our side,'" the president had written, urging the Democratic Party to act as a "large vessel" that minimizes conflict through "dialogue and communication" rather than "confrontation and exclusion."

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The ruling party's passion should be directed towards the entire nation, not just 'our side,' and should act as a 'large vessel' that minimizes conflict through 'dialogue and communication' rather than 'confrontation and exclusion.'

Jo stressed that the president's remarks were aimed at the ruling party's overall posture and responsibility in governing, particularly after the local elections. He characterized interpretations focusing on specific individuals or leadership as inappropriate and an attempt to exploit the president's words for political purposes. "Such interpretations are not only inappropriate but also use the president for other political intentions," Jo added.

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Interpreting it as directed at a specific individual or leadership distorts the president's intent.

The Democratic Party is in the process of establishing a committee to evaluate its performance in the recent June 3 local elections and by-elections. Jo outlined the committee's scope, which will include assessing the planning for the local elections, the formation and operation of nomination committees, and the management of primary elections. It will also evaluate the impact of campaign strategies and government officials' public statements on public opinion during the election period.

Furthermore, the party is considering holding its national convention in Daejeon on August 17 to elect new leadership. To facilitate this, the party plans to form a convention preparation committee following meetings of its central committee on June 16, its supreme council on June 24, and its party affairs committee on June 26.

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Such interpretations are not only inappropriate but also use the president for other political intentions.