Seoul Mayor Candidate Song Young-gil Torn Between the 'Poisoned Chalice' and 'Responsibility'

Contemplating the Role of Seondanghusa Dimension: "Not Yet Time to Declare Candidacy"
Concerns Over Party Conflict Regarding Candidacy
20 Seoul Assembly Members Say "No Drafting"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is currently deliberating over the ‘Seoul mayoral draft theory’ surrounding him ahead of the upcoming June 1 local elections. While a movement to nominate Song as the Seoul mayor is gaining momentum mainly among pro-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers, a significant number of Seoul-area lawmakers have expressed opposition, meaning Song could end up drinking the ‘poisoned cup’ himself or find it difficult to ignore requests to take full responsibility until the end. This has led to a division of opinions within the party regarding Song’s draft.

On the 1st, Song is expected to clarify his position on the demand for his Seoul mayoral candidacy through his Facebook page. Some have speculated that a declaration of candidacy is imminent, but Song is likely to post a statement addressing his ‘deliberation’ over the draft theory rather than confirming whether he will run for Seoul mayor.

Song Young-gil, Standing Election Committee Chairman, is giving a greeting speech at the disbandment ceremony of the Election Countermeasures Committee held at the Democratic Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On the same day, a representative from Song’s camp said in a phone interview, "Song is deeply considering the request to take on a role for the sake of the party before personal interests. However, he does not believe it is the right time to announce his intention to run for Seoul mayor immediately," drawing a line on the possibility of a candidacy declaration that day. The representative explained that since opinions within the party are divided over the ‘Song Young-gil draft theory,’ the final decision should be made by the party.

Song is also reportedly taking seriously the remarks made by Emergency Response Committee Chairman Yoon Ho-jung at a recent lawmakers’ meeting, where he said, "Party leaders have an obligation to accept their duties with a spirit of putting the party before themselves. Even if it means drinking the poisoned cup, they must follow the orders of the party and the people." At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Chairman Yoon reiterated, "The greatest political innovation is self-sacrifice and dedication. No Democratic Party leader is exempt from stepping forward wherever the party needs them. The spirit of the Democratic Party is to not hesitate to drink the poisoned cup for the party and the people."

Meanwhile, Song is reportedly listening carefully to the persuasion urging him to run, responding with, "If there is more responsibility to bear, I will take it." On the same day, Song plans to move his residence registration to his son’s home in Seoul. According to the Public Official Election Act, a candidate for a local government head must move their residence to the relevant area at least 60 days before the election day, so the move must be completed by the 2nd. Song’s camp stated, "This is to prepare in case the party calls upon him," adding, "It is unreasonable to immediately link this to a candidacy."

Lawmakers demanding Song’s candidacy for the Seoul mayoral race, which is expected to be a tough battleground, acknowledge that running could be a ‘poisoned cup’ for Song but emphasize it as a ‘sacrifice’ for the party.

One lawmaker endorsing Song’s nomination stressed, "This candidacy is to take full responsibility for the presidential election defeat and to dedicate himself to the party." Moreover, Seoul city and district council members have directly approached or called Song to request his run for Seoul mayor. A representative from Song’s camp said, "Song’s recent visits to temples are not to rest after the presidential election. He is trying to regain the support of the 10 million voters who turned away due to Representative Jeong Cheong-rae’s gaffe and is working hard ahead of the local elections. It is disappointing to see his candidacy for the difficult Seoul mayoral race viewed as ambition. Song is in a difficult position, unable to act either way," they said.

However, lawmakers based in Seoul strongly oppose the idea of a ‘draft’ style candidacy, and if this trend continues, it could lead to further internal party conflicts.

After the lawmakers’ meeting the previous day, about 20 Seoul-area lawmakers reportedly expressed dissatisfaction and concerns about the draft theory involving Song. With lawmakers such as Lee Nak-yeon, Park Ju-min, Lim Jong-seok, Woo Sang-ho, and Park Yong-jin also being mentioned, there is a call for selecting candidates through a party-wide competitiveness survey rather than strategic nomination by draft. A senior Democratic Party lawmaker remarked, "It is incorrect to view this as factional conflict. That is another form of framing. However, candidates should be chosen through internal competition, not by strategically nominating Song Young-gil, which would only cause internal strife."