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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party Leadership Candidates Make Final Appeals Ahead of Key Primaries

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Three candidates for the Democratic Party leadership are making final appeals to members in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions ahead of the final primary results.
  • The candidates, Song Young-gil, Chung Jin-suk, and Kim Min-seok, are vying for support in the largest delegate pool.
  • The party will announce the final results on August 17, determining its new leadership.

With the final round of regional primaries for the Democratic Party's national convention approaching, the three leadership candidates, Song Young-gil, Chung Jin-suk, and Kim Min-seok, are intensifying their campaigns to secure votes from party members in the crucial Seoul and Gyeonggi regions. These areas represent the largest bloc of party members, accounting for approximately 38% of the total.

The candidates delivered their final joint speeches at the Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter's convention in Suwon. Kim Min-seok highlighted Gyeonggi's role in producing President Lee Jae-myung, expressing confidence that "more second and third Lee Jae-myungs will emerge from this Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter." He pledged to support key Gyeonggi initiatives, including the semiconductor industry, basic income, and the normalization of border regions, promising to "fully support Gyeonggi Province and Governor Choo Mi-ae" if elected.

More second and third Lee Jae-myungs will emerge from this Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter. I will fully support Gyeonggi Province and Governor Choo Mi-ae.

— Kim Min-seokKim Min-seok's appeal to Gyeonggi party members, highlighting regional potential and promising support.

Chung Jin-suk addressed his significant loss in the previous Honam region primary, stating, "I lost heavily in Honam yesterday. I respect and humbly accept it." He invoked the late President Roh Moo-hyun's words on loyalty, warning against "traitors who betray again," a clear jab at Kim Min-seok's past defection to another party. Chung emphasized, "Loyalty is kept by those who keep it. If you betray once, you can betray again."

I lost heavily in Honam yesterday. I respect and humbly accept it. Loyalty is kept by those who keep it. If you betray once, you can betray again.

— Chung Jin-sukChung Jin-suk referencing his primary loss and criticizing a rival's past political moves.

Song Young-gil focused on his vision for "peaceful unification," referencing the 103 kilometers of the Demilitarized Zone within northern Gyeonggi Province. He stated, "I, Song Young-gil, why am I in politics? It is to overcome this division of our nation." He positioned President Lee Jae-myung as a leader who can protect peace, vowing to "achieve what Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in could not accomplish together with Lee Jae-myung."

The party is set to announce the results of the Seoul and Gyeonggi primaries on the evening of August 16, concluding its nationwide tour. The final leadership will be determined on August 17, based on a combined vote of delegates and party members (70%) and public opinion polls (30%).

I, Song Young-gil, why am I in politics? It is to overcome this division of our nation.

— Song Young-gilSong Young-gil emphasizing his commitment to national unification.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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