Democratic Party Holds Final Supreme Council Meeting Before Convention: "Fierce Competition, But We Must Unite"

Byungdo Han and Supreme Council Members Deliver Farewell Remarks
Criticism Raised Over Jin Sook Lee's "May 18 Forum"

With the 8·17 party convention approaching and criticism mounting that the event has devolved into a proxy battle between factions, the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party of Korea, which had not even been able to hold public meetings, delivered its farewell remarks on August 14 by appealing for unity within the party.

Byungdo Han, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held that day at the National Assembly, "Today is the last Supreme Council meeting I will preside over as Acting Party Leader," and added, "It is now time to welcome the new leadership." He went on to say, "This party convention is taking place amid greater enthusiasm than ever before," and emphasized, "Let us compete fiercely, but at the end of that competition, we must become one."

Byungdo Han, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Farewell remarks from the Supreme Council members followed. Supreme Council member Myungseon Hwang said, "It has been a great honor to work with my fellow council members in steadfastly supporting the administration that only Lee Jae-myung can lead for an irreplaceable Republic of Korea," adding, "In three days, new leadership will be elected. The new leadership must build a stronger and victorious Democratic Party based on the spirit of party members' sovereignty."

Supreme Council member Deukgu Kang remarked, "I tried to keep to my own principles and convictions. However, looking back, there were certainly moments of regret," and emphasized, "If I have caused anyone any hurt, I hope today will mark the end of it and we can all move past it."

Supreme Council member Jiweon Park said, "Even if the leadership changes, the party members always remain in place to protect the party," adding, "Although I am stepping down from a leadership position, I will continue to row the Democratic Party boat from where I stand as a party member. I will row together to push the boat forward until the very end."

Supreme Council member Kyuhwan Park, while expressing his gratitude, said, "There must never be actions that divide, alienate, push out, or even exclude or remove party members and supporters," and continued, "Recently, many party members have been disappointed and concerned by the divisive rhetoric and patterns of exclusion within our party. Some even suspect or despair that the Democratic Party has lost its way," voicing his concerns.

During the Supreme Council meeting, there was also criticism of the 5·18 Forum hosted the previous day by National Assembly member Jinsook Lee of the People Power Party. Acting leader Han stated, "Just two days before Liberation Day, Assembly member Lee went ahead with the forum together with those who distort and disparage the 5·18 Democratization Movement," and warned, "If People Power Party does not act, we will."

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