Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, visiting the party's core stronghold of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province amid mounting calls for his resignation, said he would "humbly accept the public sentiment reflected in the June 3 local election results and renew myself day by day with a lower posture."
Jung made the remarks at a field Supreme Council meeting held Thursday at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. "Honam is like a parent to the Democratic Party. I am always grateful to Honam, which always embraces and cherishes us even when the Democratic Party falls short," he said. Jung chose Gwangju as his first regional engagement since the June 3 local elections.
Citing Admiral Yi Sun-sin's words from the Japanese invasions of Korea, "Yakmu Honam Simu Gukga" (若無湖南 是無國家·Without Honam, there would be no nation), Jung said, "Could Korea's democracy have come this far without Honam? The more I think about it, the more I naturally bow my head to Honam's democratic spirit."
Referring to the parliamentary inquiry into the National Election Commission's ballot shortage, which was reported to the National Assembly plenary session Wednesday, Jung said, "The more the public learns, the angrier they become," and criticized it as "truly deplorable." He said, "There is a long way to go in uncovering the truth, punishing those responsible, and establishing measures to prevent recurrence, and the public's anger is hot." He added, "We must adopt a parliamentary inquiry plan as early as next week and immediately launch a special committee for the inquiry in the National Assembly."
Regarding a special counsel to uncover the truth, he also stressed that it "must be carried out as soon as possible," saying, "As the public wishes, until they understand, the National Assembly will take all measures it can." He then sharply criticized the People Power Party, which has called for abolishing early voting in connection with "election fraud conspiracy theories," saying, "Regressive arguments that go against democracy must stop immediately."
Of President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a tour of Europe, Jung said, "With record-breaking diplomatic capabilities and achievements, he has placed Korea in the ranks of advanced nations standing shoulder to shoulder with the Group of Seven (G7)." He added, "I hope he will build a foundation for all-around cooperation with European countries amid the uncertain international situation, raise Korea's credibility, and return home in glory."
He continued, "With the Middle East war making the international environment chaotic and complex, it is all the more important at times like this to trust the Lee Jae-myung government and gather national strength in one place." He said, "The party, government, and presidential office will unite tightly as one team and one voice and do our best for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government."
