Tension Between Candidate Supporters at Daejeon·Sejong Rally
Kim's "Why Does Lee Favor Tax Cuts for the Rich?" Sparks Booing
"Aiming for a Mass Party but Voter Turnout Only 30%... Needs Reflection"
Kim Du-kwan, a candidate for the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea running in the 8.18 National Party Members' Convention, stated during the Daejeon-Sejong regional tour primary, "Seeing the situation where the representative candidate speaks quietly like this but is not listened to, I truly worry about the future of our party."
On the afternoon of the 11th, at the joint speech meeting for representative and supreme councilor candidates held at Paichai University Sporex Hall in Daejeon, Kim targeted candidate Lee Jae-myung, saying, "I could not understand why you agree with tax cuts for the wealthy when I saw your recent calls for easing comprehensive real estate tax and postponing financial investment income tax." When boos mixed with criticism came from the audience, he mentioned, "I worry about the future of the party." He immediately added, "I will accept that such criticism and boos themselves are the dynamism of our party," but also said, "However, I have many concerns."
Kim Du-gwan, the candidate for party leader running in the August 18 National Party Members' Convention to elect the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim also emphasized, "We are in an era of party member sovereignty and aim to be a mass party together with the people, so why do only about 30% of party members come out to vote?" He stressed, "We really need to take a look back." He continued, "Our democratic, progressive, and reform camp has won when we have united and integrated," and said, "We must embrace comrades to win." He was pointing out that the turnout rate of party members in the nationwide tour primaries is exceeding the 29% range.
He said, "Since the 22nd National Assembly was formed, expectations for the Democratic Party and the opposition camp were very high," but added, "(However) in reality, our side (the Democratic Party) dealt with special investigations and impeachment, while the other side (People Power Party) used veto power and filibusters, so it could not become a productive National Assembly at all." He added, "I know the circumstances better than anyone, but nonetheless, I believe overcoming this is the realm of politics."
On the morning of the 4th, at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju, during the joint speech event for the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential and supreme councilor candidates, candidate Lee Jae-myung is shaking hands with candidate Kim Doo-kwan as he returns to his seat after finishing his speech. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On that day, Kim introduced himself as "the first Minister of the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, who directly proposed the three special legislations including the New Administrative Capital Construction Special Act," and said, "If I become the representative, I promise to do my best to make Sejong Special Self-Governing City the administrative and political capital."
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