South Korea's Democratic Party Vows Strong Response to Negative Campaigning Ahead of Convention

Han Byung-do, the acting leader and floor leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, declared a firm stance against divisive tactics as the party gears up for its August 17 national convention. He stated that the party will "strongly respond to negatives such as the use of derogatory terms and excessive slander" that undermine party unity.

The party's National Convention Preparation Committee met for the third time to finalize election procedures. They decided to implement a preferential voting system for the party leader election, aiming to determine the winner on the convention day without a runoff. The primary elections will span three weeks, with results announced weekly on Sundays, following a regional tour format.

Han emphasized that the convention should be a celebration of competition and harmony, fostering healthy rivalry based on policies and visions to drive greater innovation. He expressed hope that the event will offer hope to the public, opportunities to the youth, and pride to party members, urging all candidates and members to engage in dignified competition.

Separately, Han criticized the rival People Power Party for hindering the National Assembly's work, stating that "the 공전 (standstill) of the National Assembly should not happen in front of the people's livelihood." He urged the People Power Party to explain its reasons for blocking legislation, stressing that "the clock of the National Assembly cannot be stopped, and even more so, the clock of the people's livelihood does not wait."

The Democratic Party is moving forward with committee meetings, with five committees already having held their first sessions. Han assured that the party would not repeat the "vicious cycle of the first half of the National Assembly, which was filled with meaningless filibusters," and pledged that all party members would work with "extraordinary determination" to pass pending livelihood-related bills.