Song Gap-seok 'Will He Become the Only Democratic Party Supreme Council Member from Non-Capital Region?' Draws Attention

Eight Candidates Secure Spots in Preliminary Primary... Confirmed for Main Election

Must Rank in Top 4 Among 5 in Main Primary on 28th Next Month for Stability

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Attention is focused on whether Song Gap-seok, a member of the National Assembly (Gwangju Seo-gu Gap) who is the only candidate for Supreme Council member from outside the metropolitan area in the Democratic Party of Korea's party convention to elect new leadership, can make it into the final five.

According to the Democratic Party of Korea on the 28th, in the preliminary election to select the party leader and Supreme Council members at the 5th regular national delegate convention, candidate Song Gap-seok secured a place in the final round by ranking within the top eight.

On that day, 17 candidates fiercely competed in the preliminary election for Supreme Council members. The eight candidates who advanced to the final round for Supreme Council members are Assemblymen Jang Kyung-tae, Park Chan-dae, Ko Young-in, Ko Min-jung, Seo Young-kyo, Jung Cheong-rae, Song Gap-seok, and Yoon Young-chan.

Among them, Song is the only candidate from outside the metropolitan area.

In the party convention to be held on the 28th of next month, Song must compete fiercely with the other seven candidates and rank within the top four.

The Democratic Party requires that at least one of the five Supreme Council members be a woman. If no women are among the top five candidates by vote share in the final election, the candidate with the highest vote share among the female Supreme Council candidates will be elected instead of the 5th place candidate.

Therefore, if Song ranks 5th in the final vote share, there could be a variable. If there are no female candidates among the top four, one of the female candidates Ko Min-jung or Seo Young-kyo with the higher vote share will be elected as a Supreme Council member instead of the 5th place candidate.

In the 2020 party convention, candidate Yang Hyang-ja ranked 5th in the final vote share and was elected as a Supreme Council member on her own merit, not as a female quota.

Song declared himself a "reliable candidate to protect the Democratic Party" and threw his hat into the ring for the new leadership.

He said, "I have not engaged in politics that pits factions or individuals against each other to grow my influence, and I have no intention to do so in the future," adding, "I will be a Supreme Council member who speaks what needs to be said based solely on public sentiment, common sense, and principles."

He also emphasized representing public sentiment from all over the country to ensure that no one experiences exclusion, neglect, or discrimination.

First, for Gangwon, he promised the successful launch of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and economic independence for mining and border areas; for Chungcheong, the completion of the new administrative capital Sejong and the establishment of the Chungcheong Mega City, the presidential Sejong second office, and the early construction of the National Assembly Sejong building.

For the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, he mentioned the successful promotion of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Mega City, the early opening of Gadeokdo New Airport, and hosting the 2030 Busan Expo; for Daegu and Gyeongbuk, the undergrounding of the KTX Gyeongbu Line, relocation of Daegu military bases, and successful promotion of the new airport and Ulleung Airport.

For Jeonbuk, he emphasized realizing the Saemangeum Special Self-Governing Province and creating a third financial hub; for Gwangju and Jeonnam, the Honam super-regional economic community and RE300 promotion; and for Jeju, the complete resolution of the April 3 incident and realization of a complex marine industry hub port.

Song appealed for support, saying, "I will create a Democratic Party that prioritizes people's livelihoods and does not back down against the violent acts of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," adding, "I will restore common sense and principles to make the Democratic Party loved by the people and present progressive values and visions suitable for the changing times."

Meanwhile, the candidates confirmed for the party leader final round held on the same day were Kang Hoon-sik, Park Yong-jin, and Lee Jae-myung.