4-Way Race for Opposition Floor Leader Election: "Policy," "Unity," "Showdown," "Protecting Lee Jae-myung"

Kim Du-gwan "Lee Jae-myung must not collapse... Unity"
Hong Ik-pyo "Lead livelihood issues with policy competence"
Park Beom-gye "Must fight against prosecution"
Park Kwang-on "Overcome crisis through integration"

The Democratic Party of Korea held a joint debate among candidates on the 25th ahead of the election of the next floor leader, reaffirming their determination to secure victory in next year's general election. The four lawmakers who declared their candidacy for the Democratic Party's next floor leader election?Hong Ik-pyo, Kim Du-kwan, Park Beom-gye, and Park Kwang-on?highlighted their strengths and emphasized their resolve and vision during the debate.

4-Way Race for Opposition Floor Leader Election: "Policy," "Unity," "Showdown," "Protecting Lee Jae-myung"

Candidates for the 4th floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea are taking a commemorative photo before the joint debate held at the National Assembly on the 25th. From the left, candidates Hong Ik-pyo, Kim Du-kwan, Park Beom-gye, and Park Kwang-on. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the debate held in the National Assembly Members' Office Building that morning, Kim Du-kwan, who delivered the first keynote speech, stated, "If Lee Jae-myung, who was overwhelmingly supported, falls, the Democratic Party will collapse, and if the Democratic Party collapses, democracy in the Republic of Korea will be stranded." He added, "I will protect Lee Jae-myung as party leader and fight against the mismanagement of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

Lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo emphasized "policy competence," saying, "The incompetence of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is causing the collapse of people's livelihoods, the economy, and security." Hong said, "Based on my diverse experiences as head of the Democratic Research Institute and chairman of the Policy Committee, I will lay the foundation for victory in next year's general election," and stressed, "I will block the Yoon administration with competence, responsibility, courage, and dedication."

Next, Park Beom-gye highlighted 'confrontational' leadership to fight against the prosecution. Regarding the recent 'cash envelope' allegations in the Democratic Party's party convention, Park said, "The prosecution holds the bleak shadow over our party's future and the 2024 general election," adding, "We must fight back. Leadership that confronts such prosecution is necessary." He also humbly accepted criticism, saying, "I sincerely accept and reflect on the reproach about what I did as Minister of Justice," and added, "Please give me one more chance based on the foundation of reflection and experience of failure."

Among the floor leader candidates, Park Kwang-on, the only one classified as non-Lee faction, emphasized 'unity and integration.' Park said, "The people are angry that their lives are regressing due to the incompetence and recklessness of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and added, "Based on integration, I will correct the mismanagement of the Yoon regime and firmly fight and win against the continuous attacks and disruption from the opposition party." He emphasized, "Recognizing differences and ultimately bringing everyone together is 'winning integration,'" and said, "If I become floor leader, I will also hold a party meeting to restore trust."

In the subsequent moderated debate, intense discussions continued, ranging from questions seemingly about 'factions' to criticisms of failures in properly fulfilling roles during the previous administration.

First, Kim said, "When Yoon Seok-yeol was Prosecutor General, I argued in our National Assembly that he should be impeached," emphasizing, "There was significant controversy within the party at that time, but if impeachment had been carried out then, this dictatorship regime would not have been born." He then pressured Park, who served as Minister of Justice, saying, "In all statements, there was self-reflection and remorse about not properly fulfilling the role as Minister of Justice. If you become leader, with what resolve will you fight?"

To Hong, who served as head of the policy headquarters in Lee Nak-yeon's presidential campaign, the question was posed, "Recently, the media has classified you as pro-Lee. While I think dividing into pro-Lee and non-Lee is not right, politicians should have a legitimate stance. What do you think?"

Hong responded, "I have never been loyal to any person and have worked for the Democratic Party," emphasizing, "In the past, during the pro-Moon and anti-Moon divisions, I was never swept to either side. When entrusted with responsible authority and roles, I have always acted transparently and according to standards and principles without making personal decisions."

Regarding Park Kwang-on's determination to produce 'results' and a specific floor strategy, Hong asked, "What is your concrete strategy?" Park pointed out, "The biggest problem is not within our party but with President Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "He does not recognize the main opposition party as a partner in state governance at all." Nevertheless, he proposed solutions such as 'prioritizing people's livelihoods,' 'political restoration,' and 'starting with easy issues.'

Park predicted, "If there is a basic agreement between the ruling and opposition parties on prioritizing people's livelihoods, and among the approximately 130 pledges made during the presidential election, those without contentious issues are discussed first, agreed upon, and passed, trust can be built."