Kim Dong-yeon, Ryu·Kim 'Big Match' Fierce from Pre-Primary... '1 vs 3' Check and Balance

Democratic Party Gyeonggi Governor Race: Kim Dong-yeon vs An Min-seok, Jo Jeong-sik, Yeom Tae-young in 'Anti-Kim Dong-yeon' Camp
An Min-seok Proposes "Three-Way Unification for Gyeonggi Governor"
Jo Jeong-sik Criticizes Kim Dong-yeon, Asking "Do You Want a Flower Palanquin?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] In the June 1 local elections for the Gyeonggi Province governor, the competition among the Democratic Party preliminary candidates to advance to the final round against the People Power Party's Yoo Seung-min and Kim Eun-hye is fierce. The Democratic Party is scheduled to hold a primary with a 'four-way battle' among Kim Dong-yeon, Ahn Min-seok, Cho Jung-sik, and Yeom Tae-young. Among them, Kim Dong-yeon, the leader of Saerounmulgyeol, who is leading in the polls, is being checked by the other three candidates. In particular, since the advantages and disadvantages among candidates may vary depending on the primary rules, a tense battle over the 'primary rules' is expected to continue.

Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol, is declaring his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 10th, Representative Cho Jung-sik repeatedly urged the party's nomination management committee to consider a 'national participation primary.' At a press conference held at the National Assembly communication office that day, Rep. Cho said, "On the 5th, I proposed a national participation primary to the candidates participating in the Democratic Party's Gyeonggi Province governor primary, allowing any Gyeonggi voters to apply and participate in the primary. I asked the candidates to reach an agreement among themselves by the 8th, but no agreement was reached," adding, "I am very disappointed that the proposal to give new rights party members and supporters the opportunity to participate in the primary to boost turnout and enhance competitiveness in the general election was rejected." He emphasized, "Although the candidates failed to reach an agreement, I ask the nomination management committee to carefully review this sincere proposal."

He held Kim Dong-yeon responsible for not proceeding with the merger quickly. Although the party had decided to finalize the candidate by the end of April, the merger process between the Democratic Party and Saerounmulgyeol was delayed, and the primary process has not yet begun.

He said, "I am seriously concerned that the Democratic Party's Gyeonggi Province governor primary will be rushed, resulting in inadequate policy and qualification verification," adding, "At this rate, a hasty primary is inevitable, and Kim Dong-yeon cannot easily escape responsibility. Does Kim want a flower palanquin rather than a fierce primary and verification?"

Jojung-sik, preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Representative Ahn Min-seok also proposed a 'unification' to the other three candidates excluding Kim Dong-yeon, drawing an 'anti-Kim Dong-yeon' stance to check him.

At the National Assembly communication office that morning, Rep. Ahn said, "I respectfully propose a three-way unification to candidates Cho Jung-sik and Yeom Tae-young, who have registered as candidates for Gyeonggi Province governor." He emphasized, "The three of us, who have worked together to realize the Democratic Party's identity and values, share the same political roots, so there is justification and necessity for unification. If we create a one-on-one showdown with Kim Dong-yeon through unification, the Democratic Party primary will be exciting and will surely become a decisive opportunity for victory in the Gyeonggi Province governor election."

He added, "I will wait for the responses of the two candidates, Cho Jung-sik and Yeom Tae-young, to my public proposal," and "I respectfully request that the two candidates respond by Tuesday, the 12th, at the latest."

Ahn Min-seok, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, Rep. Cho dismissed the three-way unification on the same day, saying, "I have never considered it," and "I have already stated (in interviews, etc.) that I will confidently compete in the primary." His side said, "We have already stated that there will be no unification among candidates. To enhance competitiveness in the general election and win, an exciting primary with TV debates and qualification and ability verification among candidates, including Kim Dong-yeon, is necessary rather than unification."

Regarding the 'primary rules' for the Gyeonggi Province governor, the candidates have yet to find a consensus. The advantages and disadvantages among candidates may vary depending on the primary method, so the competition over the rules is intense. Earlier, Rep. Cho's advocacy for a 'national participation primary' and Rep. Ahn's proposal to give voting rights to new party members can be interpreted in this context.

Currently, the Democratic Party primary rule is '50% party members with voting rights and 50% public opinion poll.' However, since Kim Dong-yeon, who recently merged and holds a small share in the Democratic Party, may be disadvantaged by this method, voices calling to reduce the proportion of party members with voting rights are emerging. In response, former Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young, along with Reps. Ahn and Cho, all opposed this as "unfair," and the tense battle among candidates is expected to continue until the primary rules are finalized.