'Eodaemyeong' Smooth Sailing... Democratic Party Leadership Race in Gangwon... Lee Jae-myung 90%·Kim Doo-kwan 8% (Summary)

Lee Jae-myung Dominates... Kim Doo-kwan 8%, Kim Ji-soo 1%
Top Supreme Council Member is 'Wonoe' Former Lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju

In the Gangwon Province primary election held on the 21st to select the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidate Lee Jae-myung recorded a vote share of 90.02%. Following his 90.75% vote share in the Jeju and Incheon regions the previous day, Lee maintained his dominant trend with an overwhelming margin in Gangwon as well.

The Democratic Party held a joint speech meeting in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, and announced the results of the online voting conducted over two days among party members in the region. Out of 27,049 total eligible voters in Gangwon Province, 5,911 (21.85%) participated in the vote. Lee received 5,321 votes, accounting for 90.02%. Candidate Kim Du-kwan received 526 votes (8.90%), and candidate Kim Ji-soo received 64 votes (1.08%).

On the morning of the 21st, the second day of the regional primary elections for the election of the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidates Kim Ji-su (from the left), Kim Du-kwan, and Lee Jae-myung raised their hands to greet party members at the joint speech event held at Hongcheon Sports Complex in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The eight candidates for Supreme Council member in the Gangwon primary were tallied as follows: Jeong Bong-ju (20.33%), Kim Byung-joo (18.14%), Jeon Hyun-hee (14.88%), Kim Min-seok (12.48%), Lee Eon-ju (12.14%), Han Jun-ho (10.30%), Kang Seon-woo (6.40%), and Min Hyung-bae (5.34%). Among them, the top five candidates nationwide by combined vote share will be elected as Supreme Council members.

Lee Jae-myung: "We Must Open the 'Path of Renewable Energy' in Gangwon Province"

At the joint speech meeting in Hongcheon, candidate Lee emphasized the production of renewable energy. He stated, "South Korea lacks renewable energy and is relocating energy production overseas," and asked, "How much sunlight and wind does Gangwon Province have?" He continued, "If we develop wind power in every valley of Gangwon and solar power on abandoned fields and mountain ridges, wouldn't there be more people farming sunlight and wind?" He stressed, "A world where everyone lives off solar pensions and wind pensions will come."

Lee raised his voice, saying, "Politics and government can open up people's lives depending on their will. Wouldn't it be good to start that path from Gangwon Province?" He added, "You cannot lead the world with negative strategies that aim to remove political opponents to maintain power," and declared, "The party responsible for South Korea's future is the Democratic Party." Furthermore, he encouraged support by saying, "We must think about how to enable people to live better lives. Who is the party leader candidate that will lead the Democratic Party in that direction?"

On the morning of the 21st, the second day of the regional primary elections for the election of the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for party leader, is delivering his policy speech at the joint speech meeting held at Hongcheon Sports Complex in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Du-kwan: "A One-Man Party of Lee Jae-myung, Isn't That Worrisome?"

Candidate Kim took a stance to check Lee Jae-myung. He said, "Yesterday in Jeju and Incheon, candidate Lee received 93% and I received 5% of the votes," and asked, "A one-man party, isn't that worrisome?" He continued, "What will happen if the Democratic Party's diversity and dynamism disappear under an imperial party leader? If the leader is re-elected, the fierce confrontation with the evil government and ruling party will continue endlessly." He also stated, "I believe the Democratic Party should take a two-track approach," and pledged, "As the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly, I will firmly take care of people's livelihoods and the economy."

He emphasized, "Former President Kim Dae-jung was first elected as a member of the National Assembly in Inje, Gangwon Province in 1961," and called Gangwon "the birthplace of the Democratic Party." Furthermore, he said, "I will revive the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung to gain the trust of the people through diversity, dynamism, and democracy," and urged, "Party members and comrades, let's go together with me, Kim Du-kwan."

On the morning of the 21st, the second day of the regional primary elections for the election of the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Du-kwan, a candidate for party leader, is delivering his policy speech at the joint speech meeting held at Hongcheon Sports Complex in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Ji-soo: "I Served in Hongcheon... Let's Create 'Peace'"

Candidate Kim Ji-soo stated, "I served in the 11th Division Military Police in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province," and said, "Marching across Gangwon Province, I thought about 'changing the future of South Korea for everyone's peace.'"

Kim emphasized 'peace' by referring to the death of Chaesang-byeong. He said, "One year ago, Yecheon in Gyeongbuk experienced twelve times more rainfall than usual," and added, "Chaesang-byeong had to go on a search wearing only a short-sleeved T-shirt with 'Marine Corps' written on it, without a life jacket." He continued, "Chaesang-byeong was swept away by the rapid current," and said, "Even now, one year after Chaesang-byeong's tragic death, the tragedy remains unchanged."

He stated, "Chaesang-byeong's death closely resembles our society. It shows a society where harsh performance demands can be fatal and where everyone is left to fend for themselves without even life jackets," and urged, "Please vote for the future, not for me, Kim Ji-soo," emphasizing, "I will definitely create a Korean Peninsula without tragedy."

On the morning of the 21st, the second day of the regional primary elections for the election of the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidate Kim Ji-su for party leader is delivering a policy speech at the joint speech meeting held at Hongcheon Sports Complex in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party Central Election Commission will combine the ARS voting results and others on the 18th of next month and announce the final results.