Jeong Cheongrae: "Song Younggil Is the Only Sure Card for Yeonsu-gap... A Symbolic Figure of the Democratic Party"

"Kim Namjun, a Talent Who Will Support President Lee's Policy Philosophy"

On April 24, the Democratic Party of Korea, having finalized its strategic nominations for the Incheon region in the by-elections held concurrently with the 6·3 nationwide local elections, convened an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Incheon to actively lend its support. The previous day, the party’s Strategic Nomination Management Committee nominated former party leader Song Young-gil for Yeonsu-gap and former Blue House spokesperson Kim Nam-jun for Gyeyang-eul.

At the on-site Supreme Council meeting held in Yeonsu District that day, Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae stated, "Yeonsu District is by no means an easy district. After careful consideration, I concluded that Song Young-gil is our surest card for victory here," adding, "Former leader Song is such a symbolic figure for the Democratic Party that he needs no further introduction."

(Incheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Jae-man Bae = Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the election office of Jeong Ji-yeol, candidate for Mayor of Yeonsu District, Incheon, on the 24th. 2026.4.24 scoop@yna.co.kr (End)

Previously, Song Young-gil, who had served five terms as a lawmaker representing Gyeyang-eul, hoped to run there again after rejoining the party. However, as Assemblyman Park Chan-dae became the party’s candidate for Incheon mayor, the party nominated Song for the now-vacant Yeonsu-gap seat.

Jeong reflected, "Since my first term as a lawmaker in 2004, I have been active in Mapo-eul. If someone told me, 'It’s time for you to move on to a bigger place, to another constituency,' I wonder how I would feel," and continued, "I thought about how difficult it must be for former leader Song to say goodbye to the residents of Gyeyang-eul, with whom he has shared joys and hardships for 20 years."

He added, "However, a true leader willingly steps up when there is a more challenging region or a greater role to play. I thank former leader Song for wholeheartedly accepting the party’s decision."

Regarding former spokesperson Kim Nam-jun, Jeong said, "How could we underestimate Kim Nam-jun’s contribution to the rise of President Lee Jae-myung?" He continued, "If he becomes a member of the National Assembly, he will be the kind of talent who can fully support the president’s policy vision through legislation and institutional reform."

Jeong went on, "When I see former spokesperson Kim, I am filled with emotion. Since President Lee’s time as mayor of Seongnam, Kim was always close by, working behind the scenes like a shadow to make the politician Lee Jae-myung stand out."

He further remarked, "I often accompanied former spokesperson Kim, and saw him following President Lee with a backpack stuffed full of who-knows-what. He doesn’t speak much, but he is quick to act and has great decisiveness."

Jeong concluded, "I believe that, moving forward, he will become the voice and representative of the residents in Gyeyang-eul and help develop Gyeyang-eul in line with the president’s policy philosophy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.