In the upcoming election for the next chairperson of the Democratic Party's South Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter, two non-incumbent figures?Song Soonho, head of the Changwon-si Masan Hoewon-gu local committee, and Park Junho, vice-chairperson of the provincial chapter?will face off against each other.
The two candidates each held press conferences in the morning and afternoon of the 15th to announce their candidacies.
Song Sungho, regional chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea for Masanhwawon District, Changwon City, Gyeongnam (left), and Park Junho, vice chairman of the provincial party. [Photo by each candidate's social networking service (SNS)]
Candidate Song, at the provincial party headquarters in the morning, declared his bid, stating, "I will lead not just a change in government but a transformation in politics by making the South Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter more competent."
He expressed his ambition, saying, "I will not forget my original intentions when I first entered politics and will build a Democratic Party that wins both the presidential and local elections by returning to a member-centered mass party."
Song Sungho, regional committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea for Masanhwawon District, Changwon City, Gyeongnam, is declaring his candidacy for the Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee chairman election. [Photo by Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee]
He pledged to: ▲Innovate into a member-centered mass party ▲Institutionalize the right of nomination reflecting members' opinions ▲Present solutions for local issues such as the South Gyeongsang economic crisis, youth unemployment, and regional extinction.
He continued, "There is no public trust in the irresponsible and incompetent Yoon Sukyeol administration," and after the press conference, began a hunger strike in front of the main gate of the South Gyeongsang Provincial Government building, calling for President Yoon's resignation.
Park Junho, Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee, is declaring his candidacy for the position of Provincial Party Chairman. [Photo by Lee Seryeong]
That afternoon, at a press conference held in the provincial assembly press room, candidate Park stated, "I am making my second attempt to create a South Gyeongsang-style Democratic Party that fulfills the wishes of the residents and is loved by them."
Park explained, "The Honam-style Democratic Party and the South Gyeongsang-style Democratic Party are different," adding, "When we create policies suited to South Gyeongsang, communicate them thoroughly to residents, and work together, we will become a true South Gyeongsang-style Democratic Party."
He continued, "I will create a Democratic Party in South Gyeongsang that is friendly and empowering to the residents," and proposed ▲A chairperson who commutes to work ▲A members-only civil complaint call center ▲Operation of a public chat room for all members ▲Establishment of a civil complaint counseling center for residents ▲Launch of a provincial volunteer group ▲Continuous disclosure of the provincial chapter's budget, introduction of a staff performance evaluation and incentive system ▲Victory in local elections ▲Strengthening support for local committees ▲Attracting the Democratic Party's training institute, among others.
He added, "I will build a united Democratic Party in South Gyeongsang so that it is not divided or conflicted by factions," and asserted, "Only Park Junho, who has leadership that embraces all factions, can create such an atmosphere within the party."
Park Junho, Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party (right), is visiting and encouraging Song Sungho, Regional Committee Chairman of Masanhwawon District, Changwon City, Gyeongnam, at his hunger strike protest site. Photo by Lee Seryeong
After his press conference, Park visited Song's hunger strike site to offer encouragement.
The two candidates shook hands and said, "We will engage in healthy competition to create a provincial chapter where members feel at ease, a chapter that members desire, and a chapter that wins."
The next chairperson of the Democratic Party's South Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter will be elected on the 27th through a vote consisting of 20% delegates and 80% dues-paying members, and will serve a two-year term.
This election was triggered by the resignation of the previous chairperson, Kim Dugwan, who stepped down to run for party leader.
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