Jeong Se-kyun: "The Party Charter Amendment Is Not for the Primary Election Period... It Must Be Done Properly for Success"

Former Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun of the Democratic Party of Korea is holding a press conference on the afternoon of the 19th at the Daegu Grand Hotel. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Jeong Se-gyun, former Prime Minister and presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the party leadership on the 19th to make a decision on the need to postpone the primary schedule.

At a press conference held in Daegu that day, Jeong said, "The by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral offices became problematic when the party charter was amended to allow candidates to run after initially prohibiting them," adding, "However, setting the presidential primary schedule now is not a matter of amending the party charter."

He continued, "Currently, the party charter stipulates that the primary should be held 180 days before the presidential election. It also states that if there are special circumstances, the schedule can be adjusted by a resolution of the party committee," arguing that delaying the scheduled primary would not violate the party charter.

He added, "Many party members and lawmakers seem to think that once COVID-19 is somewhat under control, holding a proper primary rather than only a non-face-to-face one would better satisfy the public's right to know and could also boost the primary's popularity."

He went on, "The party leadership should consider what is the path to victory in the presidential election, and each candidate should think beyond personal interests about what is the way to reestablish the administration, and we must follow that path," adding, "What use is it to become a candidate if you lose the election?"

Jeong identified real estate as the most urgent domestic issue to be resolved.

He emphasized, "The biggest problem right now is the real estate issue. First, we must do our best to stabilize real estate prices and fix the imperfections in tax and financial systems so that citizens can own homes at reasonable prices."

He also said, "We need to activate private sector participation and have the public sector participate as well to supply apartments in large quantities at reasonable levels."

Regarding the regional issue of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk integrated new airport construction, Jeong stressed, "Since it is being promoted based on the Special Act on the Relocation of Military Airports, there is no problem in building the airport."

He explained, "Additional support related to airport construction is an administrative procedure, not legislation. Any necessary or reasonable additional support can be discussed through consultations with the central government."

Before the press conference, Jeong visited Seomun Market to listen to public opinion, and in the afternoon, he attended the launch ceremony of his presidential campaign's external organization 'Gyunyeong Sadari' Daegu Headquarters held at the Grand Hotel, actively expanding his outreach.

At the Gyunyeong Sadari Daegu Headquarters launch ceremony, he appealed for support under the slogan "Bold Recovery, Strong Korea."

Meanwhile, on the same day, a group of 100 professors from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region declared their support for former Prime Minister Jeong at the Grand Hotel.