Kim Yong, Close Associate of President Lee, Announces Bid for Democratic Party Supreme Council... Proposes Direct Election for Proportional Representative Members

"I Will Break the Outdated Political Conventions of Yeouido and Lead Bold Innovation"

Kim Yong, former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute and a close associate of President Lee Jaemyung, has announced his candidacy for the Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea at the party’s national convention scheduled for August. Kim stated, "I will break the outdated political conventions of Yeouido and lead the Democratic Party’s clear and bold innovation."

During a press conference at the National Assembly on this day, Kim remarked, "The dazzling pace of innovation by the Lee Jaemyung administration has not been adequately supported by timely legislative action from the party, causing growing frustration among party members and the public." He continued, "We must transform the energy of conflict into the power of unity and positivity, and present an irreversible and future-oriented direction for the Democratic Party. The reason I, who previously pledged to devote myself after the recent by-election, am standing here again today as an ordinary party member is precisely because of this mission."

Through his announcement, Kim introduced his plans for party innovation. He declared, "I will become the strongest and most efficient engine connecting the party and the government," and added, "The party will swiftly support the grand transformation of Korea envisioned by the government."

He also proposed a direct election system for proportional representative party members. Kim stated, "I will fundamentally reform the Democratic Party so that true dedication is duly recognized," and emphasized, "Proportional representative seats must now be given to real workers who have been overshadowed by the old political conventions of Yeouido." In addition, he pledged to systematically foster the growth of local council members.

Kim Yong, former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, is announcing his candidacy for the Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly communication office on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim also promised to directly reflect party member evaluations in the nomination process for National Assembly candidates. Furthermore, he pledged, "If an agenda is proposed by a certain number of party members, the leadership will be required to review and institutionalize it according to party regulations." He also committed to limiting candidacy to a maximum of three terms in the same constituency. Kim stated, "The significant capabilities of experienced lawmakers will be utilized more fully through the party's return to power, while new and talented individuals will bring renewed energy to the party."

Other innovation measures he proposed included the establishment of an independent party audit office and the direct election of the audit office head from outside the party.

At the site of Kim’s candidacy declaration, supporters holding blue balloons chanted, "Kim Yong is the best."

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