Song Young-gil, Representing Incheon District, Declares Seoul Mayoral Candidacy
"Song Young-gil's Candidacy Causes Multiple Plans to Collapse"
"'86 Generation Retirement Theory' Requires Public Explanation" Intra-Party Conflict Intensifies
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Internal conflicts are intensifying within the party over former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil's candidacy for Seoul mayor in the June 1 local elections. Voices demanding a public apology from Song, who decided to run just about 20 days after stepping down from his leadership position following the presidential election defeat, are emerging. Critics argue that running in a local election to select a regional leader under the so-called 'Song Young-gil draft theory' lacks justification and is difficult to accept. Rather than showing reflection and reform after the presidential loss, the party appears to be embroiled in internal strife.
On the 1st, Song Young-gil effectively formalized his Seoul mayoral candidacy by announcing on Facebook that he had changed his address from Incheon to Songpa-gu, Seoul. Song explained his reason for running, saying, "I have heard strong requests from many people urging me to run for Seoul mayor. During a time of contemplation, I heard the words of Emergency Committee Chairman Yoon Ho-jung, who said, 'If the party needs me, be ready to run anytime.'"
He continued, "I will devote myself without regard to position or duty as a party member solely for the victory in the local elections," adding, "This is not a matter of my personal political career. It is about soothing the pain of party members and supporters over the presidential defeat and figuring out how to field a competitive candidate to win."
However, Song's decision to run was met with immediate backlash within the party. During the 20th presidential election process, Song had advocated the '86 generation retirement theory' (referring to those born in the 1960s who entered university in the 1980s) as part of party reform and declared he would not run in the next general election, signaling a willingness to relinquish vested interests. Although he did not explicitly declare he would not run in the local elections, critics argue that announcing his candidacy less than a month after resigning to take responsibility for the presidential defeat undermines his previous declarations.
On the 4th, Representative Woo Sang-ho criticized in an interview with TBS Radio, "Song Young-gil's candidacy announcement has effectively nullified various potential cards for the Seoul mayoral candidate pool," adding, "How can a fresh face from outside enter when a prominent former party leader is firmly sitting and insisting on competing in the primary?"
Representative Kim Min-seok demanded an official apology from Song. At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Kim stated, "An apology to the public is necessary for Song's self-nomination as a candidate in a major election shortly after resigning from the leadership to take responsibility for the presidential defeat. There needs to be a public explanation and understanding regarding the '86 generation retirement theory,' which was triggered by promises to ban consecutive four-term candidacies in the same district and the declaration not to run in the general election," openly opposing Song's Seoul mayoral bid.
Criticism also arose regarding the lack of justification for Song's candidacy. Representative Park Ju-min pointed out in an interview with BBS Radio, "It is hard to understand why the leadership, which said it would step down taking responsibility for the presidential defeat, is now talking about returning without any special reason, and (Song Young-gil) is not originally from the Seoul area."
During his five terms as a member of the National Assembly, Song represented the Incheon Gyeyang district, and from 2010 to 2014, he served as mayor of Incheon. Given that most of his political career was built in Incheon, Song's candidacy for Seoul mayor is seen as difficult to justify and unlikely to gain empathy from citizens.
Song has not issued any particular response to the criticism within the party. The party leadership has only expressed its intention to focus on candidate management to win the local elections and has avoided giving clear answers regarding internal conflicts. On the 5th, Emergency Committee Chairman Yoon Ho-jung said in an interview with YTN Radio, "Song's candidacy is a matter of his own decision," adding, "The leadership's duty is to provide fair opportunities to candidates who want to run and to properly manage the process to nominate a candidate who can win the election."
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