Candidates vying for leadership of the Democratic Party gathered on July 12. The atmosphere was charged as former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former party leader Jung Cheong-rae engaged in a verbal sparring match ahead of next month's party convention.
The National Local Autonomy Democratic Leaders Conference (KDLC), composed of local government officials and lawmakers from the Democratic Party, held a presentation of candidates' visions at the National Assembly. Attendees included Kim, Jung, lawmakers Song Young-gil and Ko Min-jung, and former Gwangjin County Council member Kim Bo-mi, who all shared their visions.
Following Ko's remarks, Kim took the stage for his presentation, stating, "As far as I know, former leader Jung has not declared his candidacy until now, but seeing him present his vision here seems to indicate that KDLC is quite influential." He aimed a jab at Jung.
Kim continued, "I will thoroughly reform the prosecution to eradicate the roots of political prosecution, while also pursuing police reform based on democratic oversight and transparent verification. If I become party leader, I will ensure that within three months, we significantly widen the gap in approval ratings with the People Power Party, creating a strong, victorious Democratic Party once again."
In response, Jung, who spoke last, countered Kim's remarks by saying, "I came here to support Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won's candidacy for the Supreme Council. While I will accept criticism as a former leader, I will defend myself as necessary."
He added, "I will not engage in 'self-politics.' Although I was unjustly excluded from nominations in the past, I did not leave the party and campaigned nationwide. Leaving the party to support candidates from other parties and running as an independent is the worst form of self-politics." Regarding prosecution reform, he stated, "A complete abolition of supplementary investigative powers is the key to the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and to boosting the Democratic Party's approval ratings."
Song highlighted his diplomatic experience, urging support for President Lee Jae-myung's policies aimed at protecting national interests. He said, "I worked to prevent harmful clauses during the Korea-Japan agreement under former President Kim Dae-jung and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement under former President Roh Moo-hyun. I aim to create a global Democratic Party that protects South Korea's sovereignty and national interests, rather than a local party that merely fights the People Power Party."
Meanwhile, during her presentation, Ko promised to support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration through party unity, vowing to listen to the voices of the public. Former lawmaker Kim expressed her ambition to bring back young people who have left the Democratic Party and to advocate for generational change within the party.
The National Local Autonomy Democratic Leaders Conference (KDLC), composed of local government officials and lawmakers from the Democratic Party, held a presentation of candidates' visions at the National Assembly. Attendees included Kim, Jung, lawmakers Song Young-gil and Ko Min-jung, and former Gwangjin County Council member Kim Bo-mi, who all shared their visions.
Following Ko's remarks, Kim took the stage for his presentation, stating, "As far as I know, former leader Jung has not declared his candidacy until now, but seeing him present his vision here seems to indicate that KDLC is quite influential." He aimed a jab at Jung.
Kim continued, "I will thoroughly reform the prosecution to eradicate the roots of political prosecution, while also pursuing police reform based on democratic oversight and transparent verification. If I become party leader, I will ensure that within three months, we significantly widen the gap in approval ratings with the People Power Party, creating a strong, victorious Democratic Party once again."
In response, Jung, who spoke last, countered Kim's remarks by saying, "I came here to support Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won's candidacy for the Supreme Council. While I will accept criticism as a former leader, I will defend myself as necessary."
He added, "I will not engage in 'self-politics.' Although I was unjustly excluded from nominations in the past, I did not leave the party and campaigned nationwide. Leaving the party to support candidates from other parties and running as an independent is the worst form of self-politics." Regarding prosecution reform, he stated, "A complete abolition of supplementary investigative powers is the key to the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and to boosting the Democratic Party's approval ratings."
Song highlighted his diplomatic experience, urging support for President Lee Jae-myung's policies aimed at protecting national interests. He said, "I worked to prevent harmful clauses during the Korea-Japan agreement under former President Kim Dae-jung and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement under former President Roh Moo-hyun. I aim to create a global Democratic Party that protects South Korea's sovereignty and national interests, rather than a local party that merely fights the People Power Party."
Meanwhile, during her presentation, Ko promised to support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration through party unity, vowing to listen to the voices of the public. Former lawmaker Kim expressed her ambition to bring back young people who have left the Democratic Party and to advocate for generational change within the party.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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