[On Site] Democratic Party's 300-Meter Line to Buy 'T-Shirts'... Convention Fever Heats Up

The Democratic Party of Korea held its 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to mark the 15th anniversary of the late former President Kim Dae-jung's passing. Despite the heatwave warning and scorching weather, party members lined up long before the main event started, eager to purchase 'goods.' The Democratic Party set up booths selling T-shirts, mugs, eco-bags, and notebooks emblazoned with logos and slogans symbolizing the party. Once sales began, the line stretched over 300 meters from the booth to the entrance of Olympic Park.

On the 18th, party members attended the '2024 Democratic Party of Korea 1st Regular Nationwide Party Members' Meeting' held at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by O Ji-eun

On one side, panels featuring the candidates for party leader and supreme council members were displayed. Party members used the candidate panels as fans to cool off and took commemorative photos. When group photos were taken by regional committees at the entrance, local assembly members came by to greet attendees. There was also a booth introducing gender equality policies promoted by former President Kim Dae-jung. At this booth, one party member left a note pledging to practice gender equality and took a photo at the photo zone with a panel of the late president.

On this day, the Democratic Party members filled the KSPO Dome, the largest stadium inside Olympic Park. The KSPO Dome has a seating capacity of 15,000. Park Chan-dae, the floor leader who stepped down from his acting party leader position that day, sang a line from the musical 'Man of La Mancha's' 'The Impossible Dream' during his congratulatory speech, eliciting thunderous cheers from party members.

On the 18th, party members participating in the '2024 Democratic Party 1st Regular Nationwide Party Members' Meeting' held at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul, are cheering. Photo by Oh Ji-eun

Floor Leader Park said, "The party's will is the people's will, and party members are the people, so we have fought and worked according to the wishes of the party members and the people's desires," emphasizing, "As a party that renews itself daily (Ilshin-Uilshin), we will continue to evolve into a stronger and more competent ruling party."

Former President Moon Jae-in's video congratulatory message received mixed reactions. In the video, Moon said, "The key to establishing a Democratic Party government is expanding support," and urged, "Let us firmly reject narrow-minded and exclusive behaviors that block expansion." This prompted boos such as "It's noisy" and "Why did he appear?" from the audience. However, most party members gave loud applause and cheers once the video ended.

Earlier, Seo Sam-seok, who was elected temporary chairperson of the party convention, said, "I hope this day will be remembered and recorded as a historic day when the Democratic Party and South Korea united to rise again." The Democratic Party announced that 11,102 of the total 17,416 delegates attended, confirming a quorum.

Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with the leadership and party members, are attending the Democratic Party of Korea's 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention held on the afternoon of the 18th at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Once the party convention begins, candidates will present their platforms in turn. The winner is determined by combining 56% from party members' votes, 14% from delegates' votes, and 30% from general public opinion polls.

At this convention, the Democratic Party will elect one party leader and five supreme council members. The results reflect 56% party members' votes, 14% delegates' votes, and 30% general public opinion polls. According to the online voting results of party members over the past month, candidate Lee Jae-myung leads with a cumulative vote share of 89.90%, followed by Kim Doo-kwan with 8.69%, and Kim Ji-soo with 1.42%.

For the supreme council members, the current cumulative vote shares indicate that Kim Min-seok (18.63%), Kim Byung-joo (14.30%), Jeong Bong-ju (14.17%), Han Jun-ho (13.78%), and Jeon Hyun-hee (12.75%) are in winning positions, followed by Lee Eon-ju (11.43%), Min Hyung-bae (9.90%), and Kang Seon-woo (5.05%).

Jeong Cheong-rae, Go Min-jeong, Seo Young-kyo, Jeon Eun-su, and Kang Min-guk, Supreme Council Members of the Democratic Party of Korea, are greeting party members at the 1st National Party Members' Convention held on the 18th at KSPO Dome, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@