Leadership contenders within the Democratic Party of Korea have been actively campaigning across various regions, with a focus on engaging party members and local communities. On the 11th, a weekend day, several candidates took to the streets to promote their visions for the party’s future.
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok participated in a meeting with party members at the Gyeonggi Yongin-gap district committee. During the event, he emphasized his long-standing collaboration with President Lee Jae Myung over the past three years. “We have worked closely together on designing state affairs, and our philosophical perspectives are very similar,” Kim stated. He added, “At this moment, wouldn’t I be the one who can best support him?”
Kim also reflected on the results of the June 3 local elections, noting that while the party won, the victory was not entirely satisfying. “Our approval ratings sometimes fall below those of the People Power Party. They criticize us as an insurrectionist force, but can we afford to lag in approval ratings and lose?” he questioned.
He further mentioned the importance of internal party unity, referencing past experiences such as when former President Roh Moo-hyun ran for office. “When Roh Moo-hyun became a presidential candidate, Lee In-je was the dominant figure, but he was defeated in the primaries. Later, I understood why. Party conventions are intense debates to steer the right path.”
Kim planned to visit Seongnam after Yongin, holding meetings with party members, youth, and the Honam regional association. He also intended to interact with residents at a local market.
Meanwhile, former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae made strong statements during his campaign. On the same day, he declared, “Just wait and see. The one who will protect President Lee Jae Myung until the end is Jung Chung-rae. We will achieve victory in the general election and reclaim power through a broad pro-democracy alliance.”
In a Facebook post, Jung highlighted his role in uniting key figures within the party. “The person best suited to unify the four leaders (Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and President Lee Jae Myung) within the party, and to build alliances and solidarity outside, is Jung Chung-rae,” he wrote. He reiterated his commitment to forming a broad pro-democracy and progressive alliance with President Lee.
Jung also addressed public sentiment, stating, “Do not worry. The person to trust is Jung Chung-rae.” He urged party members to support him with their one vote each, referencing the one-vote system for delegates and party members that he championed during his tenure.
Jung visited a memorial altar for victims of the Cheongju Osong underground passage disaster in North Chungcheong, offering flowers and paying respects. Earlier, at a lecture in Jeonnam-Gwangju, he claimed, “I was the one who protected President Lee Jae Myung, and I believe I will be the one to protect him until the end. Over the past 4–5 years, I have had the most conversations with President Lee. I know him best.”
Another leadership contender, Rep. Song Young-gil, declared his candidacy for party leader in Jeonnam-Gwangju on the 9th and has remained in the region for three days. On the same day, he met with the Traditional Market Association in Iksan, North Jeolla, and interacted with citizens at a local market.
Song stated, “We cannot waste the four years of our precious President Lee Jae Myung. How we utilize this period depends on us. I will support him at the National Assembly level.”
Later, he hosted a town hall meeting with rights-holding party members at Wonkwang University. The previous day, he held a similar event at the Yeomju Gymnasium in Jeonnam-Gwangju.
Rep. Ko Min-jung is scheduled to meet with self-employed individuals, office workers, and youth and female party members in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang, in the afternoon.
월 5900원 멤버십, 신문 독자에게는 2900원, 조선멤버십
55000원 상당의 신문-잡지 8종 마음껏 보기, 조선멤버십
현금처럼 쓸 7000포인트 받아 알뜰한 쇼핑, 조선멤버십
