Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, has publicly apologized for the controversy surrounding the appointment of a special investigator (special prosecution) that has been labelled an 'appointment incident.' He acknowledged his responsibility, stating, "I am very sorry for causing trouble to the President," during a Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly. He emphasized that moving forward, the process for recommending special investigators will undergo significant reforms, including oversight by a new committee within the party tasked with recommending candidates for public office.

During his comments, Jeong reflected on the flaws of the previous system which allowed recommendations for the special investigator to bypass established processes within the party. He noted that previous practices failed to provide adequate scrutiny and transparency, saying, "There seem to have been many gaps in the recommendation process." The leader assured that the party will prioritize a thorough vetting process to avoid such appointment mishaps in the future, demonstrating his commitment to reforming party procedures.

The backlash from within the party, especially from those opposing Jeong's leadership, has indicated a growing concern over accountability and procedural integrity among party officials. Members of the so-called 'anti-Jeong faction' expressed their discomfort with how the recommendation process unfolded and highlighted that responsibility must be shared by the leadership. As the Democratic Party navigates internal disputes and criticisms over past decisions, the calls for accountability and reform in governance practices are positioned to reshape how leadership and selections are managed in the party moving forward.