'Lee Jae-myung 2nd Term' Regional Balance... 'Honam' Joo Cheol-hyun & 'Yeongnam' Song Soon-ho Appointed as Non-elected Supreme Council Members

Jeonnam and Gyeongnam Provincial Party Chairs Both Join Leadership
Establishing Ad Hoc Special Committee to Prepare for 10.16 By-Election

The Democratic Party of Korea appointed Joo Cheol-hyun, chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee, and Song Soon-ho, chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee, as nominated Supreme Council members, part of the 'Lee Jae-myung 2nd term' leadership team. This is interpreted as a personnel arrangement considering regional balance. Additionally, candidates running in the by-elections on October 16 were appointed as chairpersons of ad hoc special committees.

Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, announced after the Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 11th that Joo Cheol-hyun and Song Soon-ho were decided as nominated Supreme Council members. Chairman Joo is a two-term member of the National Assembly representing Yeosu City Gap in Jeonnam. He has served as head of the Public Security Division 2 at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, chief of the Special Investigation Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, chief prosecutor of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, and head of the Violent Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Chairman Song is an external figure, formerly a member of the Changwon City Council and the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly.

On the morning of July 4th, at the National Assembly, Joo Cheol-hyun, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's "Special Committee for the Truth Investigation and Restoration of Honor regarding the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident," is speaking at the launch ceremony. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the background of the appointments, spokesperson Han said, "The prevailing opinion was that both individuals have the capability to serve as nominated Supreme Council members," and added, "Jeonnam and Gyeongnam are valuable regions for our party." He also said, "I think there is also an aspect of consideration for those regions."

On the same day, the Democratic Party established three ad hoc special committees. The Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam Mega City Promotion Special Committee was launched with Kim Kyung-ji, candidate for Busan Geumjeong District Mayor, as chairperson. The Rice Price Stabilization Measures Special Committee was launched with Han Yeon-hee, candidate for Incheon Ganghwa County Mayor, as chairperson. Additionally, Jo Sang-rae and Jang Se-il, candidates for mayor of Gokseong and Yeonggwang counties in Jeonnam, will serve as co-chairpersons of the Basic Income Promotion Special Committee.