The Choice of 'Chinmun' is Lee Nak-yeon... Full Support as the Candidate to Continue the Moon Administration

Press Conference of Assemblymen Hong Young-pyo, Kim Jong-min, and Shin Dong-geun

President Moon Jae-in and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Hong Young-pyo, Kim Jong-min, and Shin Dong-geun, prominent pro-Moon (친문) factions within the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declared their support for candidate Lee Nak-yeon in the party's presidential primary. Attention is focused on how their backing, after previously supporting former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, will influence the dynamics of the primary race.

On the morning of the 16th, they held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon, who served as the first and longest-serving prime minister under the Moon Jae-in administration, is the person who knows the Moon administration best," and "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon is the candidate best suited to successfully continue the Moon administration."

They continued, "Candidate Lee is the sure winner who will bring victory to the Democratic Party in next year's presidential election," and appealed, "We hope this presidential primary will be the first to have a runoff vote. Please lend a little more support to candidate Lee Nak-yeon."

They also emphasized, "Candidate Lee is the most qualified to lead South Korea into a welfare state," adding, "South Korea should follow the path of a welfare state, not basic income. At least until 2030, the nation must become a welfare state where the government takes responsibility for the people's lives. The 60 trillion won budget allocated for universal basic income could accelerate the transition to a welfare state."

Furthermore, they said, "The leadership most needed to overcome national crises is democratic leadership, leadership based on trust. Through democratic communication and leadership of integration, we must unite the people's capabilities," and "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon is the right person to end hostile politics with democratic leadership and create a melting pot government that overcomes conflicts and clashes of interest."

However, they added, "Competition should be fierce, but we are one under the name of the Democratic Party," explaining, "No matter how intense the competition, we must not become hostile to each other. Whether you support Lee Nak-yeon, Lee Jae-myung, or other candidates, once the primary ends, we will unite again as one Democratic Party."

Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kim Jong-min, Shin Dong-geun, and Hong Young-pyo (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

Representative Hong and Representative Kim are pro-Roh and pro-Moon lawmakers who were active during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Representative Hong has served four consecutive terms representing Incheon Bupyeong-eul and was the floor leader of the 20th National Assembly. Regarding the timing of their endorsement, he said, "I thought the Democratic Party primary needed to develop more dynamically and productively," adding, "With the prevailing narrative favoring Lee Jae-myung, I believe it is necessary to show the public the Democratic Party's vision and hope during the remaining period and make the primary a process of dialogue and debate."

Representative Kim, a former journalist who served as spokesperson and public relations planning secretary during the Roh administration, explained, "With candidate Chung Sye-kyun's withdrawal, it was necessary to help create a healthy competitive structure within the Democratic Party, which was also a factor in our decision."

Representative Shin also said, "While the opposition party is proceeding with excitement amid uncertainty over whether Hong Joon-pyo or Yoon Seok-youl will be the candidate, our side loses attention if the process is one-sided," adding, "Supporting candidate Lee Nak-yeon, who is currently at a disadvantage, is also about making the primary more dynamic for the ultimate presidential victory."

They also called for support from the supporters of former Prime Minister Chung, who withdrew mid-race. Representative Hong said, "I think many of the values and policies pursued by Chung Sye-kyun are very similar to those of candidate Lee Nak-yeon," and raised his voice, "Lawmakers and supporters who backed candidate Chung can join us."

However, Representative Kim criticized the invalidation of votes for former Prime Minister Chung, saying, "Although the election commission has already made a decision, I want to raise an issue," adding, "It infringes on the choice of voters who voted for candidate Chung Sye-kyun. The regulations are not explicit," and "It should not be interpreted that way."

Meanwhile, candidate Lee's camp plans to accelerate consolidation of support by embracing moderate voters ahead of the Honam primary scheduled for the 25th and 26th. It is also noteworthy that, following former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's mid-race withdrawal, Lee Nak-yeon remains the sole candidate from Honam.