Three Key Democratic Party Leadership Candidates Step Up Efforts to Win Party Members

Shincheonji Controversy Intensifies
Kim: "Could Shake Up the Party Convention"
Jeong: "Conspiracy Theories Never Succeed"

The three main candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea have begun the final primary and are ramping up efforts to win over party members.

(From left) Minseok Kim, Cheongrae Jung, Younggil Song candidates. Photo by Yonhap News.

On July 25 at the National Assembly, candidate Minseok Kim gave a lecture titled "A Democratic Party That Wins" during the general meeting of the Democratic Party’s political opinion group "Politics and Future." Park Yongjin, vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, was also in attendance.

Kim criticized candidate Cheongrae Jeong, saying, "The president has worked as hard as anyone could possibly work for a year, but the uncomfortable truth is that the election results have not reflected that effort."

He continued, "Is it possible to win with leadership that cannot go to Busan and refuses to go to Pyeongtaek?" He emphasized, "We must change and innovate."

Kim plans to travel to Honam—considered a key battleground in this election—where he will receive a declaration of support from a local Buddhist leader before visiting a night market.

Jeong visited five regions—Yangsan, Gimhae, Changwon, Jinju, and Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province—to hold meetings with party members. At these meetings, he was accompanied by fellow Supreme Council candidates who are close to him: Assembly members Choi Minhee, Lee Sungyun, and Han Minsu.

Regarding the records of Kim and Younggil Song leaving the party, Jeong argued, "I have not left the party. Compared to those who left, missed the banner of reform, or blurred the Democratic Party’s identity, at the very least, I am qualified to talk about reform."

He added, "Former President Roh Moo-hyun said that if you want to be treated as a person, you must have loyalty. I will uphold loyalty to the Democratic Party, to reform, to unity, and to President Lee, so I hope you will protect Cheongrae Jeong by your side."

From Wanju in North Jeolla Province, candidate Song visited a traditional market and held a meeting with young people. He continued to travel to Imsil, Sunchang, and Namwon to meet with party members. Song criticized Jeong, saying, "If you work in sync with President Lee, I believe there is so much more we could accomplish, but seeing the party leader and president constantly fighting is deeply frustrating."

He also brought up his own past, having been imprisoned on charges of accepting illegal political funds before eventually being acquitted, saying, "I fought against prosecutors and made it back here alive," and appealed, "Please offer your support in Honam."

Song also addressed concerns about Jeonbuk being marginalized following the government's recent announcement of three mega-projects. He said, "Some may be disappointed to hear about the sudden 800 trillion won investment in Gwangju, but there is no need to worry. I will ensure proper follow-up."

Controversy also continued over allegations of involvement by the Shincheonji religious group. Kim stated during his lecture, "This is an extremely disadvantageous fight for me, but if it is necessary for history, justice, and the Republic of Korea, I am committed to raising issues that must be addressed."

He stated, "This issue has now entered the public sphere. Together with you, I will seek a dignified solution by the Democratic Party within the party’s domain."

In contrast, Jeong wrote on his personal social media account, "There has never been a successful example of negative campaigning or political conspiracy theories. Slandering rivals undermines the community and puts the party at risk."

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