[Summary] Song Young-gil "I Don't Use Lineage Advantage"... Woo Won-shik "Encouraging Division from the Start"

Song Young-gil "Supporting a Specific Candidate Does Not Help Party Development"
Woo Won-shik "Accusing of Nonexistent Factions"

Woo Won-sik, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A 'factional dispute' has erupted among the Democratic Party of Korea's leadership candidates. Song Young-gil, a lawmaker running for party leader, targeted the factions of his competitors Hong Young-pyo and Woo Won-shik, saying, "I am a Democratic Party member standing at an equal starting line without using any factional chances." In response, Woo said, "Do not lead the party convention of unity and integration into division," opposing Song's remarks.

On the 16th, Woo posted on Facebook, "The core of my politics is the Euljiro Committee," adding, "From first-term to longest-serving members, all view the Euljiro Committee as Woo Won-shik's politics, acknowledge that Woo Won-shik's politics are correct, and support the achievements made in livelihood reforms."

He continued, "President Moon Jae-in also said during his time as party leader that 'the Euljiro Committee is a stepping stone connecting our party and public sentiment.' Is the Euljiro Committee also a faction?"

He then criticized, "Is the election strategy of candidate Song Young-gil to label others with non-existent factions from the start, promoting divisiveness?" and said, "Having challenged several times, Song should reflect on why he has not grown further within the party." He added, "Instead of starting by criticizing others, he should first clarify his core political philosophy."

Song Young-gil, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Song said, "It is known that lawmaker Hong Young-pyo is supported by the Owl Group, and lawmaker Woo Won-shik is backed by Minpyeongryeon (Democratic Peace People's Coalition), an intra-party group," emphasizing that he is a candidate who does not use factional chances.

The 'Owl Group' was a social group of key pro-Roh and pro-Moon figures, which disbanded in 2018 and led to the formation of a research organization called 'Democracy 4.0.' Minpyeongryeon is a group centered around the late lawmaker Kim Geun-tae, mainly composed of former activists from the underground movement.

Song said, "I also respect senior Kim Geun-tae and believe that inheriting and developing his philosophy is necessary for the party," but pointed out, "Going beyond research and memorial groups for Kim Geun-tae's philosophy to create a nationwide organization that supports a specific candidate like a 'party within the party' would not be very helpful for party development."

He added, "The same goes for the Owl Group," criticizing, "We are all Democratic Party members who supported President Moon Jae-in as one body, so creating the Owl Group separately as 'only we are pro-Moon' is unconvincing and unnecessarily creates factional divisions." He emphasized, "Converging as one team Democratic Party is important for the party's development and future presidential election victory."