Kim Minseok Expresses Determination for Jeong Cheongrae’s "Four Presidents Unification"... Accelerates Integration Within and Beyond the Party

Four Presidents Speech Contest to Mark 71st Anniversary of the Democratic Party’s Founding
Former Secretary-General Cho Seungrae Appointed Head of Party Headquarters Transformation Task Force
Kim Minseok Announces Plans for Broad Progressive Coaliti

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, accelerated efforts toward party unity on the 16th by presenting initiatives such as a youth speech competition related to the integration of the "four circles" (support bases of Presidents Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jaemyung) suggested by former leader Jeong Cheongrae. Kim also appointed Assemblyman Cho Seungrae, who served as secretary-general during Jeong's tenure, as the head of the TF (task force) for major innovation in local party headquarters (city and provincial branches).

During the Supreme Council Meeting in Daejeon, Kim stated, "This week marks the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party of Korea," and added, "We will organize a youth speech festival to honor our past presidents—Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jaemyung—by embracing, innovating, and carrying on their philosophies, values, and policies. The festival will include an award ceremony commemorating their legacy." Kim explained that the tentative name of the event is "I Am a Democratic President," and continued, "It will be known as the so-called 'Four Circles Speech Contest,' an idea I borrowed from former leader Jeong Cheongrae, who first proposed integration of the four circles during the party convention." Kim also expressed gratitude to Jeong, saying, "I thank you for raising this important issue."

Additionally, Kim announced, "We will establish a task force dedicated to major innovation in each city and provincial party headquarters, and here in Daejeon, I intend to promptly appoint former secretary-general Cho Seungrae as the TF head." He added, "Assemblyman Cho managed party operations and possesses outstanding organizational skills. We are currently searching for a suitable youth party headquarters in Gwanghwamun, and I ask that he oversee the identification, decision-making, and remodeling process in cooperation with the current secretary-general."

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council Meeting and Budget Policy Consultation held at Daejeon City Hall's Sky Yard on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kim also mentioned efforts toward a broad progressive coalition. He said, "We have already held discussions and raised various issues with other parties and progressive political groups, focusing on key issues such as easing requirements for parliamentary negotiation groups, introducing runoff voting, adjusting the electoral system rationally, and consolidating competitiveness." Kim continued, "Assemblyman Park Beomgye has been appointed chairperson of the Grand Coalition Committee, so I ask him to make full-fledged contacts with the three other progressive parties and the Innovation Party led by Cho Kuk."

Earlier that day, during an appearance on Democratic Party TV, Kim addressed the requirements for forming negotiation groups in the National Assembly, saying, "If an agreement is reached, the threshold for a negotiation bloc—currently 20 seats—could be lowered to 15 seats." Kim added, "We will introduce a more rational electoral system. Although the current system is a single-member district, semi-interlinked proportional representation, we will have in-depth and reasonable discussions, regardless of the approach." Regarding runoff voting, he said, "It is essential for the presidential election and is also being discussed for metropolitan mayoral races, but first, let's prioritize the presidential election." He added, "I plan to actively bring up these proposals for formal discussion."

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