 President Roh Moo-hyun appointed Chung the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy at the start of 2006.As minister, Chung received U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman in Seoul, and participated in the Five-Party Energy Ministerial held in Beijing on 16 December 2006, promoting energy efficiency and the development of clean energy technologies.At the Democratic Party national convention on 6 July 2008, Chung was elected leader of the party, defeating Choo Mi-ae, his closest competitor.