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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Rival Candidates Spar Over 'Self-Politics' and Party Loyalty Ahead of Leadership Vote

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Two leading candidates for the Democratic Party's leadership, Kim Min-seok and Jung Cheong-rae, engaged in a public exchange of criticism ahead of the August 17 convention.
  • Kim urged unity behind the party leader, Lee Jae-myung, and criticized Jung's focus on "self-politics" and past party departures.
  • Jung defended his loyalty and commitment to the party, highlighting his continuous dedication and contrasting it with Kim's past resignation.

Ahead of the Democratic Party's August 17 leadership convention, two prominent contenders, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former Representative Jung Cheong-rae, traded barbs during a party meeting in Jeonju. The exchange underscored the internal tensions and differing political strategies within the party as they vie for the top position.

Now is not the time for self-politics, nor is it the time for presidential elections. Everyone must become pro-Lee Jae-myung. If there is any lack of that, it will ultimately be the same as being anti-Lee.

— Kim Min-seokDuring a party meeting, criticizing Jung Cheong-rae.

Kim Min-seok directly challenged Jung, stating, "Now is not the time for self-politics, nor is it the time for presidential elections." He emphasized the need for absolute loyalty to party leader Lee Jae-myung, suggesting any deviation would be tantamount to opposing him. Kim also expressed concerns about the party's ability to secure a stable victory in the upcoming general elections if current trends continue, positioning himself as a leader who can support the president and win the general election.

I agree 100% with former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok’s remarks and would like to add a few points.

— Jung Cheong-raeResponding to Kim Min-seok's speech.

Jung Cheong-rae countered Kim's remarks by highlighting his unwavering commitment to the Democratic Party. He invoked the legacy of former President Roh Moo-hyun, whom he supported as part of the 'Nosamo' movement, and stressed his own history of dedication, even through difficult party decisions like unfair candidate cutoffs. Jung implicitly contrasted his consistent party membership with Kim's past resignation during the 2002 presidential election's unification process, asserting his own legitimacy as the rightful heir to the party's tradition.

I have never left the party, and even when I faced unfair cutoffs, I dedicated myself to the party. I am the right person because I created a larger campaign team and campaigned nationwide.

— Jung Cheong-raeDefending his loyalty and suitability for leadership.

Jung also focused on policy, advocating for reforms and emphasizing his commitment to issues like the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights, which he argued requires strong leadership. Meanwhile, another leadership hopeful, Representative Song Young-gil, campaigned in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, criticizing Jung's perceived responsibility for the party's losses in recent local elections.

We need to reform and reform again.

— Jung Cheong-raeHighlighting his reformist stance.
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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