Do Jong-hwan: "No discussion about finding a 'third candidate'... Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung are definite presidential candidates"

"No Discussions on Playing a Role in Seoul and Busan Mayoral By-Elections"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Do Jong-hwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the recently launched 'Democracy 4.0 Institute,' stated, "We have never discussed finding a third presidential candidate," drawing a clear line that the group is not a gathering for the by-election or presidential election.

Fifty-six incumbent lawmakers classified as 'pro-Moon' joined the Democracy 4.0 Institute, which was launched on the 22nd, leading to speculation that it is an organization for the upcoming by-election and presidential election. Some also speculated that discussions are underway to find another presidential candidate besides Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province.

On the morning of the 26th, Do appeared on KBS Radio and responded to the question, "Currently, the two presidential candidates mentioned are Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung, but there is talk of a third candidate," by saying, "The two are definite presidential candidates," and added, "We have never had discussions about finding another person."

When asked, "Does this mean the institute will not look for a third candidate, such as the so-called 586 generation or former presidential chief of staff Lim Jong-seok, who is currently mentioned in the media?" Do replied, "I am saying that we have never had such discussions so far."

He continued, "The purpose of creating the institute was not to support a third candidate. It is truly a group to develop skills and abilities," and added, "Over the past few months of preparation, I can say that there has been no discussion about a third candidate."

Regarding Hong Young-pyo, a Democratic Party member belonging to the Democracy 4.0 Institute, who appeared on CBS Radio on the 24th and said, "Currently, the two are competing. However, if the situation changes, second, third, or fourth candidates may emerge and compete," Do dismissed this as "a theoretical statement."

When asked, "Is there no plan for the future?" he said, "We were actually surprised to see this interpreted as linked to (searching for a third candidate)," and reiterated, "This group was not created to support or prepare for a third candidate."

He also said, "There have been no discussions about playing any role regarding candidates for Busan mayor or Seoul mayor. We have never mentioned specific people or discussed how to intervene in those matters."

In response to concerns about factional politics, he said, "We anticipated such concerns during the discussion and preparation process. We will conduct our meetings so that such worries do not arise."

When asked about the meaning of '4.0' in the institute's name, he answered, "It means how democracy should be implemented in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how to build the fourth democratic government."