Democratic Party Holds First Election Committee Meeting
People Power Party Considers Han Dong-hoon + Co-Chief Election Committee Chair System
The ruling and opposition parties are transitioning to election campaign committee systems. The Democratic Party of Korea has formed a collective campaign committee system with Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, former leader Lee Hae-chan, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as standing campaign committee chairpersons. On the other hand, the People Power Party is promoting a one-top campaign committee centered on Emergency Response Committee Chair Han Dong-hoon.
On the 12th, the Democratic Party held a launch ceremony for the campaign committee at the Yeouido central party office, putting "judgment" at the forefront. In his greeting, Leader Lee emphasized, "To judge the Yoon Seok-yeol administration that has ruined the country and shows no remorse, the Democratic Party will fight together with the people. Now is the time for the sovereign people to step forward."
Former Leader Lee said, "I think this is the most important election among all the elections held so far," and added, "Although I have left practical politics, I joined the campaign committee with a desperate feeling that I must not miss this election."
Former Prime Minister Kim said, "If the current government continues like this and is not reprimanded by the people in any form, can the Korean community move forward with the value of democracy?" He added, "The judgment the Democratic Party wants is not the judgment of the Democratic Party but the judgment of the people who cherish the Korean community. I ask that this be an opportunity for the people and the Democratic Party to create hope together." Referring to the recent nomination controversy within the party, he urged, "After today, we must comfort those who received nominations and those who did not get nomination opportunities well and strive to create a good future with them."
In addition to the three standing campaign committee chairpersons, the campaign committee includes the current seven Supreme Council members, Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo, former Hyundai Motor President Gong Young-woon, Kim Yong-man, director of the Korean Provisional Government Commemoration Association and great-grandson of Baekbeom Kim Gu, Namyangju-byeong District Representative Kim Yong-min, former National Assembly Secretary-General Lee Kwang-jae, Uiwang District Representative Lee So-young, Dr. Hwang Jeong-ah, and a co-chairperson representing public participation (to be appointed later).
The Democratic Party, which suffered considerable internal damage during the nomination process, is emphasizing the grand cause of judging the administration and appears to be focusing on internal unity. In addition to Jo Jung-sik, the party secretary-general, who was appointed as the general campaign headquarters chief, Kim Min-ki, who declared he would not run, was also appointed. In Gyeonggi Province, considered the biggest battleground, Park Kwang-on and Ahn Min-seok, who lost in the nominations, will serve as regional co-chairpersons of the campaign committee along with Representative Jeong Seong-ho and Kim Byung-wook, acting chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party Committee.
The People Power Party is organizing an election campaign committee with Emergency Response Committee Chair Han Dong-hoon as the one-top leader. Han is set as the general campaign committee chairperson, with several others appointed as co-chairpersons.
Jang Dong-hyuk, secretary-general of the People Power Party, told reporters on the day, "The Nomination Management Committee has never considered anything other than having Chair Han as the one-top general campaign committee chairperson." He added, "It would be difficult for one person to handle all 254 constituencies alone," and said, "I think we can have several co-chairpersons to share the responsibilities."
The focus of this campaign committee is centrist expansion and efficiency. Secretary-General Jang explained, "The campaign period is short, and even a small issue during that time can affect the entire election, so we aim to form a campaign committee that can respond efficiently and swiftly."
Chair Han also hinted at a de facto single campaign committee chairperson system. He told reporters the previous day, "I am the party leader called out to lead this election," indicating acceptance of the one-top campaign committee chairperson system. He said, "The Democratic Party talks about a 'three-top' system, but Leader Lee is busy. He has to attend trials, so it would be difficult for him to lead the election alone." This highlights Leader Lee's judicial risks and implies the intention to form a one-top campaign committee system.
Chair Han also plans to campaign for the People Power Party's satellite party, the People’s Future Party. Inside and outside the party, there is an assessment that there is practically no one other than Chair Han who can represent the People Power Party and run the election with centrist expansion.
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