Jeong Cheong-rae Announces No Presidential Bid... Song Young-gil Calls It "Out of the Blue," Kim Minseok Says "Random"

Ruling Party Leadership Race Heats Up
Candidates Tour Regions for Campaigning

Song Young-gil, a contender for leadership in the Democratic Party, directly criticized former leader Jeong Cheong-rae's repeated remarks about not running in the presidential election, calling them "out of the blue" on July 15.

On MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" that day, Assemblyman Song said, "There are still four years left in the term, so I don't know why such comments are being made," adding, "Some may interpret it as an indirect criticism that President Lee Jae-myung, who became president from party leader, is an exception."

Song also criticized former leader Jeong regarding the results of the June 3 local elections, stating, "In this election, President Lee's photos were not allowed at first. There was a lack of coordination."

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who is running in the party leadership election, is attending a members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is also running in the party leader election, pointed out during JTBC's YouTube program "Genre Only Yeouido" the day before, "It's very random," and expressed puzzlement: "It's not the time to talk about the presidential election, so I wonder why such a story even came up."

Previously, former leader Jeong explained on Kim Eo-jun's YouTube channel, aired the day after he declared his candidacy for the August 17 National Party Convention, that he mentioned not running for president because "I thought it would be better for the competitiveness of the presidential candidates if, as the party leader, I play a role in fostering and supporting them."

On this day, the Democratic Party leadership contenders are traveling to different regions to campaign. Former Prime Minister Kim is scheduled to announce his four major reform proposals and attend both the third anniversary event for the Osong underpass disaster in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, and a joint party members' meeting in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Former leader Jeong will also attend the third anniversary event for the Osong underpass disaster in Cheongju. Assemblyman Song will issue a memorial statement for the third anniversary of Private First Class Chae's death and hold a talk concert in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

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