Kim Dong-yeon Criticizes Rule Revision, Saying "Democratic Party Is Going to a Show Race"

Governor Kim Holds Press Conference at Yeouido Campaign Office
"No Discussions on Unification with Kim Kyung-soo"

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a candidate in the Democratic Party's presidential primary, expressed regret on the 13th regarding the Democratic Party's presidential primary rules, which abolished the previous complete national primary and now proceed with 50% party member votes and 50% general public opinion polls. He said, "I expected a beautiful primary, but the current primary is turning into a meaningless token contest."

At a press conference held at the 'Yukwaehan Camp' situation room, the presidential campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim criticized, "Excluding the national primary due to concerns about reverse voting is a disregard for the people's capability who prevented illegal martial law and rebellion."

In the last presidential election, a complete national primary was held guaranteeing one vote per party member and general public, but this time, a method dividing the ratio into 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion polls was adopted.

Lee Chun-seok, Chair of the Democratic Party's Special Presidential Election Rules Preparation Committee, explained at a media briefing the day before, "It has been 13 years since the complete national primary started in 2012, and the number of party members has grown from 110,000 to nearly 1.2 million now," adding, "Strengthening party members' rights to select candidates is the most certain way to reinforce party member sovereignty."

To party members, he requested, "Please correct this properly so that the people can achieve an overwhelming regime change based on the principles and common sense upheld by the Democratic Party," and earnestly asked, "I understand that party member voting is underway regarding the primary rules, and I sincerely ask for your cooperation."

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Regarding the possibility of unification with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who declared his presidential candidacy on the same day, Kim Dong-yeon explained, "I have exchanged opinions with former Governor Kim several times, and most of our thoughts align, but we have not discussed unification."

On the presidential candidacy theory of Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, which is mentioned by some within the People Power Party, Kim criticized, "It is shameful that the party which produced a president who led illegal martial law and rebellion is scheming to extend its regime again," and said, "It is deplorable that a person accused of aiding rebellion is being mentioned as a presidential candidate."

Regarding the impeachment efforts against Acting President Han and Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy and Finance, promoted by the Democratic Party, Kim said, "I believe there are sufficient reasons to impeach the two," but added, "Since the president has been dismissed and the situation has shifted to election mode, I think it is inappropriate to proceed with impeachment now."

On the stance expressed by some in the progressive camp, including former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, that "ending the rebellion takes precedence over constitutional amendment," Kim said, "It is an attempt to cover up constitutional amendment with the same frame as ending the rebellion," and added, "It may be evidence of a lack of genuine will for constitutional amendment, which is regrettable."

He emphasized, "More important than the timing of the constitutional amendment is creating feasible political conditions," and said, "It would be good if consensus on constitutional amendment can be reached in this presidential election, and if not, discussions should at least take place by the time of the local elections."

Kim plans to adhere to the principles of a negative-free, no large-scale campaign headquarters, and no organization 3-no (無) campaign, and a vision and policy, candidate-centered, volunteer and citizen-participatory 3-yes (有) campaign.

He also emphasized a two-track big deal including international politics and diplomacy, and an economic grand coalition. Kim said, "It is necessary to make five big deals: opportunity economy, regional economy, climate economy, care economy, and tax and fiscal big deals. Changing the president or which party holds power does not automatically bring change," adding, "It is essential to create a new Republic of Korea under such a proper vision and philosophy."

Meanwhile, he reported on the mutual tariff response and achievements from his recent trip to Michigan, USA, which he visited shortly after declaring his presidential candidacy on the 9th. He said, "We agreed to establish a government-level cooperation channel between Michigan and Gyeonggi Province to jointly address tariff issues," and added, "We also agreed to work together to establish channels between companies. Even if our government was lukewarm or did not respond properly to the Trump tariff bomb, I think it is meaningful that we decided to cooperate concretely with Gyeonggi Province."