As the Progressive Party and the Justice Party have thrown their hats into the presidential race, the movements of minor parties are becoming active.
Progressive Party's Standing Representative Kim Jae-yeon, who declared her candidacy for the presidential election, is speaking after paying respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News.
On the 14th at 8 p.m., the Progressive Party will hold an online presidential candidate debate between Standing Representative Kim Jae-yeon and former lawmaker Kang Sung-hee. Intra-party voting will take place from the 15th to the 19th, with the counting of votes conducted immediately after the voting ends. Earlier, Representative Kim stated, "We will prevent a second civil war through uncompromising liquidation of the civil war and reform of power institutions." Former lawmaker Kang declared his candidacy, saying, "The Revolution of Light must advance as an unceasing social reform to break down discrimination and inequality."
At the Justice Party, an extraparliamentary party, Representative Kwon Young-guk is preparing to run. The Justice Party, Labor Party, and Green Party have formed the 'Social Great Transition Presidential Election Coalition' and decided to select a presidential candidate. Representative Kwon is a former dismissed worker from Pungsan Metal. After passing the bar exam in 1999, he actively worked in labor fields as a legal representative for the Ssangyong Motor layoffs and as head of the investigation team for the Guui Station Kim incident.
Hanchangmin, leader of the Social Democratic Party, is speaking at the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News
On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party has decided not to field a candidate in the presidential election. On the same day, Representative Han Chang-min held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "We will form the largest electoral coalition of pro-democracy progressive forces to create a presidential election where the people overwhelmingly win," and added, "We will realize practical coalition politics centered on policies for a new republic that goes beyond the existing candidate unification." He continued, "As a party that carries on the will of dreaming realists Roh Moo-hyun and Roh Hoe-chan, we will steadfastly proceed on the path of progressive realism and innovative progress."
The Basic Income Party is currently conducting internal discussions regarding its presidential election policy and plans to hold an extraordinary delegates' meeting at the end of this month to finalize its position.
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