Party's Core Support Slipping Risks Election Hopes, Warns Leadership Candidate

Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party, voiced deep concern that the party is alienating its core supporters. He described the situation as akin to "catching wild rabbits while the domestic ones leave the house," suggesting that efforts to attract new support are futile if the party's traditional base is lost.

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If we keep catching wild rabbits, but the domestic ones leave the house, then the general and presidential elections are hopeless, aren't they?

Speaking on MBC radio, Jeong noted a growing sense of alienation and loss of passion among the party's core and traditional supporters, even before the recent local elections. He believes this erosion of loyalty is projecting onto his campaign, as he positions himself as a candidate who can reconnect with these disillusioned voters.

Jeong pointed to the recent internal debate over abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights as a prime example of the party's disarray. He recalled an atmosphere during past party meetings where even those privately opposed to the complete abolition found it difficult to speak out. However, he expressed surprise and confusion at the recent open defiance of this stance within the party, stating, "I don't understand why this happened."

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There is anxiety, or even fear, among party members and supporters that if we continue on this path, the general and presidential elections will be hopeless.

Despite believing that prosecutorial reform was nearing completion, Jeong acknowledged the lingering anxiety among party members that a small faction could still derail the entire effort. This internal division, he fears, poses a significant threat to the Democratic Party's prospects in the upcoming general and presidential elections.

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I was so taken aback and surprised when, recently, they so confidently argued against the abolition of supplementary investigation rights in a party meeting.