As the Democratic Party prepares for its convention in August, key contenders for leadership intensified their public activities on July 2. While former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former party leader Jung Cheong-rae actively engaged with local constituents, lawmaker Song Young-gil opted to cancel his scheduled appearances, indicating a period of reflection.
According to political sources, Kim visited Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, stopping at a traditional market and the SK Hynix factory. His visit comes in the wake of President Lee Jae-myung's announcement of three major projects, and Kim's presence at the SK Hynix facility aims to highlight his ability to support the president's governance, given his previous role as Prime Minister.
Kim explained his choice of North Chungcheong for his first regional visit, stating, "The mega projects announced by President Lee are a historic gamble that will determine the fate of Korea during this transformative period. The government of the people is creating a balanced national development, and SK Hynix is a key semiconductor hub in the Chungcheong region. Therefore, it holds significant importance for my first schedule."
After completing his North Chungcheong itinerary, Kim told reporters, "I have heard a lot of encouragement and support for this government. I always think that the livelihoods of ordinary people should not be overshadowed by inflation and other economic issues. I will strive to support both advanced industries and the people's economy."
Meanwhile, Jung continued his outreach in Honam, a traditional stronghold for the Democratic Party, visiting Gwangju after a trip to Jeonbuk on July 1. After visiting the May 18 Memorial Foundation, he remarked, "The May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement was a turning point in my life."
Jung emphasized his commitment to preserving the spirit of the May 18 movement, noting that during his tenure as party leader, he allocated approximately 1.4 billion won for its commemoration. He also expressed his determination to expedite the inclusion of the May 18 movement's principles in the constitutional preamble. Additionally, he referenced a recent luncheon meeting between President Lee and former President Moon Jae-in, where they discussed internal unity, pledging to do his utmost for the success of the current administration and the party's re-election.
In contrast, Song has not been seen fulfilling official duties and is reportedly contemplating the timing of his leadership bid. He was scheduled to attend an alumni event at Yonsei University but decided to withdraw. A representative from Song's camp clarified in a conversation with Aju Economy that his absence was due to personal reasons rather than political ones.
The representative stated, "There is no significant reason for his absence. It is not politically motivated. He could not attend due to personal scheduling conflicts."
On the previous day, Song had reiterated his commitment to creating a ruling party that demonstrates results through unity and expansion, emphasizing that the Democratic Party, as the governing party of Korea, must achieve internal cohesion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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