Lee Jaemyung: "Gwangju Raised Me, Once Like a Factory Worker on Ilbe, Into a Fighter for Democracy"

Kim Dugwan: "We Must Care for Underdeveloped Regions and the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged"
Kim Jisoo: "I Will Defend the Democracy Our Seniors Fought For"

At the third week of the nationwide party member convention to elect the next leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidate Lee Jaemyung emphasized that Gwangju raised him as a fighter for democracy. Candidate Kim Dugwan pointed out Lee's pledge to defer the Financial Investment Income Tax (FITT) and argued that taxes should be secured to support the socially disadvantaged. Candidate Kim Jisoo, meanwhile, pledged to defend democracy for the sake of the future.

On the morning of the 4th, Kim Jisoo (from the right), Kim Doogwan, and Lee Jaemyung, candidates for the Democratic Party leader, attended the joint speech event held at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the joint speech event for the Gwangju region, held as part of the first regular party member convention at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju on August 4, Lee Jaemyung stated, "Gwangju transformed me, Lee Jaemyung, who was once a factory worker no different from a user of Ilbe Storage, into a citizen of the Republic of Korea who thinks about democracy. Ultimately, you have raised me to become a pillar of this country and a leader of the Democratic Party." Ilbe refers to an online community known for its far-right tendencies.

Lee further emphasized, "Kim Daejung, the unparalleled leader born in Honam, not only fought for democracy, human rights, and peace, but was also a highly capable steward who improved people's livelihoods and designed the nation's future. Even as a death row inmate in 1981, he said, 'In the future, science and technology will rule the world.'" Lee added, "A new civilization symbolized by artificial intelligence and ultra-advanced science and technology awaits us. A universal basic society, in which the state guarantees the basic conditions of life for its people, is our future."

Lee also highlighted his focus on renewable energy. He said, "Another aspect of our future that we must prepare for is a renewable energy society. If we build an energy superhighway so that electricity can be produced and sold anywhere along the coast and in every neighborhood, people who left for Seoul will return to these regions, where they can once again make a good living."

Kim Dugwan criticized Lee's pledges and stressed the need to address social disparities. He stated, "Our Democratic Party is a party for the middle class and ordinary citizens. This is not simply about easing the comprehensive real estate tax or deferring the FITT. Since neoliberalism, polarization and inequality have worsened, and the gap between the capital region and non-capital regions, as well as between local and central governments, has grown significantly." He continued, "Why should our Democratic Party care about the wealthy, whom Han Donghoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is already taking care of in Yongsan? What we should focus on are the underdeveloped regions and the socially and economically disadvantaged."

He also said, "If I become party leader, I will help nurture many future presidential contenders, including Lee Jaemyung. Many people should compete and debate to create competitive candidates, such as former Chief Presidential Secretary Im Jongseok from Jangheung, South Jeolla Province; former lawmaker Park Yongjin from Jangsu, North Jeolla Province; former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyungsoo; lawmaker Chung Dongyoung; and former lawmaker Lee Tanhee." During Kim Dugwan's remarks, some party members booed.

As a young candidate, Kim Jisoo promised to safeguard the future of democracy. He said, "As a candidate for party leader at the Democratic Party convention, and as a young person, I will prepare for the future ahead. I will protect the democracy that our seniors have defended and won, and I will protect the Republic of Korea."