Jeong Cheongrae: "A Larger Democratic Party" · Song Younggil: "A Democratic Party for Youth" · Kim Minseok: "Victory in the Seoul Mayoral Election"

At the final regional joint speech event of the Democratic Party’s August 17 National Convention tour, held in Seoul, each of the candidates for party leader presented their own vision: Candidate Jung Chungrae advocated for a "Bigger Democratic Party," Candidate Song Younggil emphasized "Youth Policy," and Candidate Kim Minseok focused on "Victory in the Seoul Mayoral Election."

On August 16, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the Democratic Party held its joint speech event for the Seoul regional primary. Opening as the first party leader candidate, Jung Chungrae addressed criticisms asking, "What did you do during the past year as party leader?" He stated, "Together with party members, we cleared up the insurrection issue," and highlighted their efforts on the Special Prosecutor for the Insurrection, the Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor, the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor, and a comprehensive special prosecutor, saying, "We worked hard on these with the party members." He further said, "The Prosecution Reform Office, the Central Investigation Office Act, and the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights are all noble achievements accomplished with party members." He criticized, "How can we tolerate shaking and insulting President Lee Jaemyung over the past year?"

Jung Chungrae promised, "I will build a broad progressive coalition and lead the Democratic Party to become bigger," and insisted, "We need a runoff voting system to ensure a head-to-head contest in the presidential election." He added, "Some say there’s no more reform to be done after the prosecution and judicial reforms are finished, but such views are appalling. Reform, like an ever-rising tide, must continue every day for a party to survive."

Yonhap News

Song Younggil focused on youth issues and pledged change for the Democratic Party. He said, "Our youth are struggling—they use extreme expressions such as 'hell' to describe their difficulties." He reflected, "The Democratic Party has ignored this situation." He continued, "The party’s annual budget is 20 billion won from membership dues and 20 billion won from national subsidies, totaling 40 billion won, yet only 1.5 billion won is allocated to the Youth Committee and Student Committee." He promised, "We will boldly invest in the budget so that young people can gather in the Democratic Party and sing about their dreams and future—I will make the Democratic Party their foundation."

Regarding real estate policy, Song Younggil stated, "First, supply is needed, along with fiscal support for real demand and financial support." He explained, "Of the total 500 billion won in comprehensive real estate tax from single-home owners, only 100 billion won is actually collected. When we have a 5 trillion won tax surplus, why are we clinging to 100 billion won? We need to minimize this."

Kim Minseok began his speech by recalling his previous attempt and defeat in the Seoul mayoral race and said, "We must absolutely win the Seoul mayoral election next year." He added, "We must develop housing policies that satisfy citizens and also create solutions for young people. I already stated yesterday that a reasonable approach to real estate taxation is necessary."

Kim Minseok declared, "I will become the maker of victory in the Seoul mayoral race." He urged, "We must encourage Jeong Wonoh, who will have grown through this defeat, as well as other candidates who lost in the primary. We should encourage their renewed challenges and also support new candidates." In this context, he said, "If I become party leader, we will immediately, starting in September, launch a 'Seoul Policy Olympics' in which potential Seoul mayoral figures, both official and unofficial, will debate policies." He added, "I will establish a Seoul Policy Team in the Central Party." Kim Minseok promised, "I will ensure victory in Seoul and seek confirmation of my leadership."

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