Kim Minseok "Golden Age of Korea," Chung Cheongrae "Uphold Loyalty," Song Younggil "Peace Economy"... Three Distinct Visions in Gyeonggi Primary

Democratic Party Joint Speech Session Held in Gyeonggi Province
Final Results to Be Announced in Daejeon Tomorrow

At the joint campaign speech held for the Democratic Party of Korea's August 17th national convention, the candidates for party leadership expressed their commitment to regional growth, with a particular focus on the semiconductor industry. Although voting had essentially concluded, the candidates drew attention as they shared their determination for the election while the mobile primary was still underway.

On August 16th, a joint speech for the selection of the party leader and Supreme Council members was held at the indoor gymnasium of Suwon Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province.

Minseok Kim, a candidate for party leader, stated in his speech, "There are three major tasks for Gyeonggi Province. First, leading the future and the world through semiconductors; second, steering reform in Korea and the world with reform policies such as basic income and local currency; and third, ending the longstanding discrimination against the northern border areas of Gyeonggi and achieving their normalization." He added, "I will provide full support to Gyeonggi Province and Governor Chu Mi-ae in connection with these three tasks."

Minseok Kim, Democratic Party of Korea Leadership Candidate Yeonhap News Agency

Minseok Kim also said, "If elected party leader, on the very next day I will establish a Special Committee for Regional Growth as the first initiative. The second will be pursuing this mega-project." He promised, "While promoting regional growth, I will make sure that local areas are not left behind." He stated, "During the era of Seoul's growth, the northern part of Gyeonggi had to endure disadvantages merely because it is near Seoul. But now, even as regional areas are developing, must they continue to be patient simply due to their proximity to Seoul? Minseok Kim and the new Democratic Party will usher in an era to normalize the abnormalities in northern Gyeonggi's border regions."

He further declared, "Party stability leads to government stability and economic stability. I will stake the fate of the party and government on victory and open a new golden age for Korea."

Chung Cheong-rae, Candidate for the Democratic Party Presidency, Yonhap News

Next, Chung Cheong-rae voiced his intention, saying, "To stabilize the Seoul metropolitan real estate market, we will swiftly devise a supply plan and begin normalizing LH (Korea Land & Housing Corporation)." He also commented on the previous day's Honam primary results, acknowledging, "I suffered a big defeat in Honam yesterday, but I accept the results respectfully and humbly. The people are always right." Chung Cheong-rae committed, "I will stand with the people's perspective and history's standard. A farmer does not blame the field." He added, "With the tears of my comrades as shoes strapped to my feet, I will forge ahead on my path." Despite running neck and neck with Minseok Kim during the primaries, Chung Cheong-rae suffered a significant loss in the Honam round.

At the end of his speech, Chung Cheong-rae said, "If there is one thing I'm second to none in, it's loyalty," and appealed for support, saying, "Support me, Chung Cheong-rae, as a strong reformist party leader."

Song Young-gil, another candidate, drew attention with a speech emphasizing the importance of inter-Korean relations. He referenced difficulties he faced in the past due to remarks by former President Roh Moo-hyun, who once suggested, "As long as inter-Korean relations proceed well, it's fine if other things hit snags." Song commented, "President Roh's intention was that no matter how many HBM semiconductors are produced in Gyeonggi, if inter-Korean relations deteriorate, foreign investment will leave and stock prices will plummet—that was his deep regret."

Song Young-gil, Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Yonhap News

Song Young-gil continued, "The reason President Lee Jae-myung is invaluable is that he is the kind of leader who preserves peace." He remarked, "No matter how much we advance the economy or build Korea into an AI powerhouse, if inter-Korean relations fail, it's like collapsing due to hypertension regardless of how healthy you feel." He emphasized, "With President Lee Jae-myung, I will help develop Gyeonggi's future industries, such as HBM and GPU."

As of the previous day, excluding the Seoul metropolitan rights party members' votes, the cumulative voting rate for the party leader position stood at 52.21% (235,128 votes) for Minseok Kim, 38.14% (171,768 votes) for Chung Cheong-rae, and 9.65% (43,464 votes) for Song Young-gil. This tally simply aggregates the votes from rights party members and does not reflect regional weighting.

For Supreme Council members, Seonwon Park led with a cumulative voting rate of 17.70% (159,462 votes). Up to the fifth place, who are within the victory threshold, were Minhee Choi (17.33%, 156,061 votes), Mihwa Seo (15.65%, 140,978 votes), Yong Kim (13.18%, 118,702 votes), and Minsu Han (12.70%, 114,407 votes). Next in line were Sungyun Lee (12.51%, 112,670 votes), Mi-ae Lim (7.17%, 64,582 votes), and Youngho Kim (3.75%, 33,858 votes).

Following the joint campaign speech in Ilsan Seo-gu as part of the Seoul mobile primary, results for the Seoul and Gyeonggi rights party members' votes will be announced. The Democratic Party conducted online voting from August 12th to 13th and ARS (automated response system) voting from August 14th to 15th.

On August 17th, at the Daejeon Convention Center, the Democratic Party will announce results by combining the delegates' votes with the results of a public opinion poll, which accounts for 30% of the total vote. If no one receives a majority, a preferential voting system will be implemented: votes cast for the third-place candidate will be redistributed to the voters' second choice to determine the winner.

Meanwhile, during the joint campaign speech event in Gyeonggi Province, incumbent lawmaker Youngseok Seo (Bucheon-gap, Gyeonggi) was elected as the Gyeonggi Provincial Party Committee chairperson.

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