Lee Jae-myung — Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae speaks on current issues at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Reporter Oh Seung-hyun
Democratic Party leader Chung Chung-rae praised the results of President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to Europe, once again lauding the president. Chung, who is seeking re-election as party leader, has faced pressure from the pro-Lee faction not to run, but he has maintained a “low-key” stance to defuse tensions between the party and the presidential office, calling the president a “world-class leader.”
Chung held a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Monday and said, “There was a briefing on the president’s trip to Europe.” He added, “Seeing him answer each pending issue without hesitation, I felt the president’s will to communicate with the public and run state affairs responsibly.”
Chung also said, “This trip to Europe served as an occasion to confirm Korea’s standing and the international community’s trust, including being invited to the G7 for the second consecutive year.” He assessed that “Korea clearly demonstrated its presence on global issues such as the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, energy, and security.”
Chung cited the Pope’s request to visit North Korea during Lee’s trip to Europe as a major achievement. He said, “The president made painstaking efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.” He added, “The president emphasized the Pope’s request to visit North Korea and his call for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and if realized, it would help improve the stalled inter-Korean relations.” He then expressed hope, saying, “If diplomatic ties between North Korea and the United States are also established, various barriers of division and separation will be removed.”
Chung said, “I am grateful for the hard work of government officials who ran tirelessly.” He stressed, “The Democratic Party will support the president’s diplomacy so that it leads to peace, prosperity, and a better life for Korea, and we will become a responsible ruling party so that diplomatic fruits translate into achievements for all.”