Daegu·Gyeongbuk, Gangwon First Rotational Primary Election
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The first regional primary of the August 28 Democratic Party leadership election began on the 6th. Candidate Lee Jae-myung focused on presenting a winning Democratic Party, while candidate Park Yong-jin concentrated on criticizing Lee, who is classified as the frontrunner. Candidate Kang Hoon-sik appealed for support, saying he would open the way to protect both Lee and Park.
On the afternoon of the same day, at the joint speech meeting for Democratic Party leader and Supreme Council candidates held at EXCO in Buk-gu, Daegu, candidate Lee said, "Isn't it our party's responsibility to correct regression and dogmatism against the incompetent, irresponsible, and lethargic three-no regime and protect the lives of the people?" He added, "I will build a winning Democratic Party."
He said, "I will change politics from competing for the lesser evil to competing for the best," and added, "We will no longer engage in the lethargic 'reflexive benefit politics' that waits only for the opponent's failure and leaves our fate to chance."
Candidate Lee said, "I will clearly present a future vision," adding, "We will move toward a future where a 'basic life' is guaranteed, beyond a society that guarantees only a 'minimum life'." He also promised a competent alternative party and a rational yet strong Democratic Party. Furthermore, he said, "I will create a party that communicates and innovates among the people," and "We will innovate into a true Democratic Party that responds sensitively to public sentiment." He continued, "I will build a unifying Democratic Party," saying, "Differences are not objects of exclusion or conflict but sources of synergy through role sharing."
Candidate Park warned of the possibility that the Democratic Party could become a personal party due to candidate Lee. He said, "The most worrisome thing is the concern that our party is heading toward a personal party line," and added, "There is much talk about self-nomination in Gyeyang-eul." He said, "What mistakes were made and how did such decisions come about? Isn't there a report from our party's Democratic Research Institute that says we lost the nationwide election because of the Gyeyang-eul nomination and Seoul mayor nomination? We need to reconsider that part."
Candidate Park especially opposed the proposed amendment to Article 80 of the party constitution, which suspends duties of party officials when indicted for corruption. He said, "It is the foundation and spirit of our Democratic Party that has resolutely fought against corruption," and added, "If that is another expression of a wrong personal party line for someone else, we must oppose it even more." Park said, "The Democratic Party is not anyone's Democratic Party," and "The Democratic Party is the party of its members and the party of our people who love the Democratic Party."
Candidate Kang promised, "I will create a young ruling party and lead change and progress toward regaining power." Regarding not attacking candidates Lee and Park, he said, "If Lee Jae-myung must be pushed out for this reason and Park Yong-jin must be removed for that reason, then who exactly is the Democratic Party with?" He added, "I will open the way to protect together."
Kang said, "I will not leave Lee Jae-myung, who has become the target of prosecution, lonely. I will make sure that principled Park Yong-jin is not marginalized." He appealed, "For the day we create the Democratic Party's proud fourth president, that thrilling day, please appoint candidate number 3, Kang Hoon-sik, as party leader."
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