Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, is currently facing a leadership crisis following significant backlash after proposing a merger with the Justice Party. His challenges are compounded by growing internal discord related to the recommendation of candidates for the second special investigation, leading to mounting tensions with the presidential office. Speculation is rising that Jeong may delay discussions on the merger until after local elections in an effort to find a tactical exit from the crisis.

At a Supreme Council meeting, Jeong publicly acknowledged his accountability regarding the special investigation candidate recommendation controversy, expressing his apologies to President Lee Jae-myung and recognizing the various flaws in the procedure. He committed to reforming the nomination system within the party to prevent similar incidents in the future, indicating a readiness to accept blame and engage in self-reflection amidst the internal turmoil.

The growing dissent from party members against Jeong’s unilateral approach to the merger, alongside visible tensions with the presidential office, has significantly limited his political maneuverability. The exposure of a recommendation made by a confidant close to Jeong, which allegedly implicated President Lee in adverse testimony related to a financial scandal, has fueled criticism from anti-Jeong factions within the party. As internal frustrations mount, including direct critiques from the presidential office regarding perceived conflicts between the party and government, Jeong's leadership is becoming increasingly precarious.