Lee Nak-yeon Declares Candidacy for Party Leader... Start of Party Leadership Race

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The leadership race within the Democratic Party of Korea has officially begun. On the 7th, Representative Lee Nak-yeon officially declared his candidacy for party leadership and entered full-scale coalition-building, while former Representative Kim visited Honam, the heartland of the Democratic Party, to solidify his support base. Attention is also focused on the strategies of the two candidates concerning the party mainstream factions, pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) and pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in).

On the same day, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "After listening to various opinions inside and outside the party and going through deep reflection, I have reached the conclusion that I must devote all my capabilities and do my best to fulfill the historic responsibility of overcoming the national crisis given to the Democratic Party and myself," officially announcing his candidacy for the party convention.

He added, "Drawing on my experience as the longest-serving Prime Minister since democratization and as the unprecedented Chair of the National Crisis Management Committee, I will do my utmost to overcome the current crisis," and said, "On the path to overcoming the national crisis, there will sometimes be thorny paths and gravel roads. I will not shy away from any difficulties."

Lee stated, "The giant ruling party, the Democratic Party, standing before a crisis, needs a new resolve and posture," promising to build ▲ a ‘responsible party’ that fulfills the duties of a giant ruling party ▲ a ‘competent party’ that responds to all tasks with results ▲ a ‘humble party’ that always lowers itself before the people and history ▲ a ‘learning party’ that proactively responds by facing changes in domestic and international situations, the global environment, human life, and industry ▲ and a ‘future party’ that gives hope to future generations and earns their trust.

He continued, "The Democratic Party has maintained an unprecedentedly close cooperative relationship with the government," emphasizing, "For overcoming the national crisis and the success of the Moon Jae-in administration, the Democratic Party must cooperate with and complement the government, while sometimes proposing alternatives and leading the government to achieve the best results by building a ‘constructive cooperative relationship.’ I will open and walk that path."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

His competitor, former Representative Kim, is scheduled to officially declare his candidacy on the 9th. On this day, he chose to visit Gwangju. This is interpreted as an intention to solidify support in Honam, the heartland of the Democratic Party.

Kim wrote on his Facebook, "(Gwangju) is the root of the Democratic Party, so I think it is proper etiquette," adding, "Many people in Gwangju warmly embraced 'Kim Bu-gyeom, the son of Daegu,' as 'the son of Gwangju.' The future I will walk will ultimately go together with Gwangju."

In particular, this party convention is expected to be decided by the movements of the party mainstream factions, pro-Roh and pro-Moon. Accordingly, the coalition-building battles of these party leadership candidates are also expected to be intense.

For now, Lee has a relatively broad support spectrum befitting the ‘dominant trend theory.’ It is known that Honam representatives Kim Seung-nam and Shin Jeong-hoon, Chungcheong region representative Eo Gi-gu, and Donggyodong faction representative Kim Han-jung are providing side support to Lee. Also, Representative Song Young-gil, who declared he would not run on the same day, is expected to support Lee. Additionally, Representatives Seol Hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Oh Young-hoon, Ko Yong-jin, and Jeon Hye-sook are also known to support Lee. However, there is not much public support from the pro-Moon faction yet. So far, Representative Choi In-ho, a pro-Moon from the Busan region, is almost the only one who has publicly expressed support for him.

Former Representative Kim is reportedly being quietly supported by ruling party members such as Busan representatives Park Jae-ho, Lee Hae-sik, and Ko Young-in. Representatives Kang Jun-hyun from Sejong, Kim Yoon-duk from Jeonbuk, and Ko Young-in and Kwon Chil-seung from Gyeonggi are also considered allies of Kim. Kim is actively sending signals to the pro-Roh and pro-Moon groups. Recently, Kim appointed former National Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki, who was called the ‘political mentor’ of the late President Roh Moo-hyun, as his campaign chairman, and former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae, an ‘original pro-Roh,’ as his standing advisor.