DPK leadership race heats up with debates and primaries this week

Seoul, South Korea – The race for leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is heating up as the three main contenders prepare for televised debates and a series of regional primary elections. Song Young-gil, Chung Jin-suk, and Kim Min-seok are vying for the party's top position, with the first televised debate scheduled for Tuesday evening and regional primaries set to begin this weekend.

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We cannot entrust the party to forces that shake the President. Will we fail the reform itself by falling into the dogma of reform?

The upcoming debates and primaries are expected to highlight the divisions within the party, particularly regarding the candidates' approaches to reform and their relationship with the President. Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok have been critical of Chung Jin-suk, accusing him of undermining the President and hindering reform efforts. They argue that the party should not be entrusted to those who challenge the current administration.

Song, in a recent Facebook post, warned against entrusting the party to "forces that shake the President," suggesting that an obsession with "reform dogma" could lead to the failure of reforms themselves. Kim echoed this sentiment, questioning how remaining silent on accusations of anti-reformist behavior towards a "reformist president" constitutes protecting him. Both candidates appear to be positioning themselves as loyal defenders of the President's agenda.

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What is it if not anti-Lee [Jae-myung] to falsely accuse a reformist president of being anti-reform? How is remaining silent on this 'no comment' protecting the president?

Conversely, Chung Jin-suk has adopted an "underdog" strategy, appealing to party members for support. He has emphasized his consistent loyalty to the party, stating, "The person who will protect the President until the end is Chung Jin-suk, who has realized 'party first, then self-interest' and has never betrayed the party or left it." He has asked party members to protect him in return, framing himself as the most reliable choice for both the President and the party's future.

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The person who will protect the President until the end is Chung Jin-suk, who has realized 'party first, then self-interest' and has never betrayed the party or left it. The President and the Democratic Party are protected by me, so please protect me, Chung Jin-suk.