DP Candidates Spar over Gwangju Semiconductor Cluster, Rebuilding Korea Party Merger ahead of Key Honam Primary

Full-on Honam Courtship at Ruling Party Leadership Debate
Honam Support: Chung Pledges "Speed," Kim Stresses "Party-Government Cooperation"
"Innovative Nomination Plan" vs. "Solid Leadership" Also Clash

Candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea in the upcoming August 17 national convention have clashed over party issues, including support measures for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster, ahead of the key Honam voting bloc of party members with voting rights. According to the cumulative vote tally, Chung Cheong-rae and Kim Minseok (in order of ballot numbers) are in a closely contested race, with only a 1.48 percentage point difference in their accumulated vote share.

Candidates for the Democratic Party representative took a commemorative photo during the TV debate held on the afternoon of the 10th at KBC in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Jeonnam. From the left, Younggil Song, Chungrae Jeong, Minseok Kim. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

During the Democratic Party leadership candidate debate held at KBC on the 10th, Chung Cheong-rae, when asked about fostering a semiconductor cluster in the Southwest region, responded, "The pace of progress is critical, and when it comes to speed, that's Chung Cheong-rae." He added, "As party leader, I oversaw over 1,000 bills on the floor of the National Assembly in one year; reviewing those laws to the end was part of my duty as leader," expressing confidence. In response, Kim Minseok, the former Prime Minister, countered, "Cooperation between party and government can ensure rapid progress." He emphasized, "I already have experience coordinating across ministries and industry in assembling mega-projects," and noted, "As Prime Minister, I directly managed the relevant budgets by overseeing the Ministry of Planning and Budget under my office."

Divergence arose over the plan to support the relocation of the Gwangju military airport. Song Young-gil raised potential economic gains from the airport's relocation, to which candidate Kim replied, "The economic ministries could consider and review various options." In contrast, candidate Chung stated, "Perhaps public funds should also be invested."

The two candidates also sparred over the so-called 'Honam political renewal theory,' which addresses the scarcity of senior lawmakers in Honam politics. Kim Minseok said, "There was much controversy during the recent local elections, but we are compiling cases and analyzing causes and alternatives, aiming to devise an innovative candidate nomination plan by the end of this year at the latest." Chung Cheong-rae countered, "This is the result of National Assembly members failing to stand with the sentiment of Honam voters." He added, "Honam voters won't simply vote for someone because they're from the region. What they want is solid leadership and a reformist approach."

Regarding potential alliance or merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, Chung Cheong-rae stated, "After the convention, I plan to ask all members about unification with the Rebuilding Korea Party and pursue a merger based on the will of party members." Kim Minseok remarked, "A merger could be possible only if an overwhelming majority—at least two-thirds, not a simple majority—of both parties agree," but emphasized, "Even in that case, the Democratic Party name must be preserved." He also stressed, "In any circumstance, a sudden, bombshell-style merger must be avoided."

The Honam (Gwangju in Jeonnam and North Jeolla Province) voting by rights-holding party members takes place from today until the 14th. The Democratic Party will announce the results for Honam on the 15th and for the Seoul metropolitan area on the 16th, before the final leadership is selected at the August 17 national convention by combining party member votes (70%) and a public opinion poll (30%). Ahead of this decisive Honam party member vote, candidates have clashed on party issues, including support for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster.

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