Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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On September 9, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pledged during his negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly, "To truly revive our economy, the Democratic Party will focus all its resources on the growth policies of the Lee Jaemyung administration, represented by ABCDEF." He highlighted "settling the legacy of insurrection," the "three major reforms (prosecution, judiciary, media)," and "restoring livelihoods" as key themes.

During the negotiation group speech held that morning at the National Assembly plenary hall in Yeouido, Seoul, Jeong stated, "Let us open a new era of popular sovereignty together with the Lee Jaemyung administration."

He added, "We will lead the era of advanced technology symbolized by artificial intelligence (AI) and build a basic society prepared for the new super-scientific civilization. From livelihoods to public safety, from growth strategies suited to the era of popular sovereignty to national interest diplomacy and peace on the Korean Peninsula, we will usher in an era of happiness for the people through their participation."

The Lee Jaemyung administration's ABCDEF growth policies can be summarized as follows: ▲Fostering AI-centered advanced industries ▲Developing the bio industry ▲Supporting the cultural content industry ▲Strengthening national defense and expanding the defense industry ▲Advancing eco-friendly energy industries ▲Revitalizing and upgrading the manufacturing sector.

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Regarding the "Livelihood Economy Council," which ruling and opposition parties agreed to form during the meeting with President Lee Jaemyung the previous day, Jeong stated, "It must not be a mere showpiece council but one that achieves tangible results based on pragmatic spirit. The Democratic Party will take the lead with confidence."

He continued, "All citizens must be guaranteed a basic standard of living without discrimination in various fields such as income, housing, healthcare, welfare, energy, and communications. Raising the real income and quality of life for the people is the essence of a basic society, the spirit of the Constitution, and the spirit of our times."

To this end, he promised to push for livelihood and economy-related laws, including amendments to the Commercial Building Lease Protection Act to prevent arbitrary rent increases, amendments to the Banking Act to curb excessive additional interest rates by banks, and amendments to the Franchise Business Act to strengthen the bargaining power of franchise business owners.

Jeong, who made "ending insurrection" his first pledge upon taking office as party leader, opened fire on the People Power Party, saying, "If you fail to sever ties with insurrectionist forces, you may become the subject of dissolution as an unconstitutional party. Take heed."

He continued, "Settling the legacy of insurrection is the spirit of our times. The unresolved past does not only trouble progressives; it also tempts even moral conservatives to become corrupt. Ultimately, the unsettled past incites conservatives to impose martial law and insurrection, and to join hands with the far right." He added, "A complete settlement of the insurrection will be an opportunity for conservatives to recover their true values and achieve moral revival."

This prompted boos and shouts from the People Power Party lawmakers present in the plenary chamber. Some lawmakers even shouted "terrorist" at Jeong or protested that "the remarks are too harsh." Some People Power Party members left the chamber in protest against Jeong's comments.

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Jeong stressed, "Thorough investigation into the insurrection and punishment of those responsible is the starting point," calling for the swift passage of the three major special prosecutor bills. He said, "We will amend the Military Service Act so that the spirit of soldiers who resisted illegal orders can live on." He added, "By amending the Independence Hall Act, we will prevent the distortion of the spirit of independence, and by enacting the Democratic Merit Act, we will remember those who sacrificed for the democratization movement."

He reaffirmed his commitment to prosecution, judiciary, and media reform. In particular, he said, "Increasing the number of Supreme Court justices is not something to oppose," adding, "The National Assembly seeks to alleviate the excessive workload to the point where justices cannot even read all the case files." As part of media reform, he also pledged to pass the "Fake Information Eradication Act" and the "Media Arbitration and Damage Relief Act."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized Jeong Cheongrae's negotiation group speech at the National Assembly on September 9, saying, "I expected the dignity of a ruling party leader, but I was deeply disappointed. The bravado was like watching the President of Yeouido, but the content was nothing more than a self-monologue in front of a mirror."

After Jeong's speech, Jang met with reporters at the National Assembly that morning and said, "The lives of the people are tough, but instead of focusing on livelihoods, the speech was filled with ideological rhetoric. There was not even a word of regret or apology regarding the Korean workers detained in Georgia-just endless self-praise and singing of 'Myungbi Eocheonga.'"

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Jang said, "Yesterday, President Lee told Jeong to make concessions since the ruling party has more, but instead of yielding, Jeong spent the entire speech repeating his intention to eliminate the People Power Party. The people will decide whether this is truly an era of popular sovereignty or a one-party dictatorship by the Democratic Party."

He continued, "Just as during the Moon Jaein administration, the Democratic Party is once again obsessed with eliminating the opposition under the pretext of eradicating deep-rooted evils. They are acting as if the rule of law, liberal democracy, and the Constitution of the Republic of Korea mean nothing."

He added, "Jeong also emphasized the need to establish another special tribunal for insurrection today, and insisted on passing three special prosecutor extension bills. A special tribunal for insurrection is a fundamentally unconstitutional idea that shakes the judiciary to its core. If they push this through, I believe the courts will make an extraordinary decision."

Jang further criticized, "The Democratic Party remains trapped in the delusion of reckless giveaways. The basic society is not about restoring livelihoods, but rather a reckless experiment using the people's wallets as collateral. Unlimited expansion of public rental housing will only undermine the desire of young people and ordinary citizens to own their own homes. If you sum up everything Jeong said today, it ultimately amounts to giving away now and winning votes at the expense of future generations."

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Jang also pointed out the discord between President Lee and the Democratic Party.

Regarding the response to the possible passage of the government reorganization bill, including prosecution reform, at the plenary session on the 25th, he said, "I have no idea what Jeong's position is. President Lee asked for moderation in the pace, so this time, instead of directly amending the Prosecutors' Office Act, the change was to include only a declarative provision in the Government Organization Act. Yet Jeong said today that he would deliver the news of the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office as a Chuseok gift."

Jang said, "Who is really the President of the Republic of Korea right now? President Lee also said he would send the Minister of Justice to listen to the opposition's views, but I have yet to receive any notification of when the Minister will come."

However, regarding the possibility of a shift in the cooperative governance stance following Jeong's negotiation group speech, Jang said, "I have no intention of abandoning politics. For the sake of livelihoods and the people, I am ready to join hands with anyone, anytime."

He added, "President Lee clearly told Jeong to make concessions since the ruling party has more, and I believe that in the current political landscape, cooperation is possible only when the ruling party makes the first concession and reaches out. However, today's speech by Jeong was not a concession, but rather a declaration of war against the People Power Party, the main opposition."