Democratic Party Primary Kicks Off with Commitment to Fair Elections... Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyung-soo, and Kim Dong-yeon in Three-Way Race

Democratic Party Holds Fair Election Pledge Ceremony for Presidential Primary on the 16th
Lee Jaemyung: "No Matter Who the Democratic Party Candidate Is, We Must Win"
Kim Kyungsoo Stresses "Coalition of Light," Kim Dongyeon Highlights "Economic Expertise"

The primary election to select the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate kicked off with a pledge for fair elections by the candidates: former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon.

From the left, former leader Lee Jae-myung, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, candidates in the Democratic Party presidential primary, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the pledge at the Fair Election Practice Pledge Ceremony held at the National Assembly on April 16, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the morning of the 16th, the Democratic Party held a pledge ceremony for fair elections in the party leader's meeting room at the National Assembly in Yeouido to select the party's 21st presidential candidate. Attending the ceremony were Park Chan-dae, acting party leader and floor leader, Park Beom-gye, chairman of the Central Party Election Commission, and the primary candidates: former leader Lee, former governor Kim, and Governor Kim. Acting leader Park stated, "It is a prerequisite to decisively judge the ruthless insurrection forces and win this presidential election to overcome the crisis facing the people and the nation," adding, "I urge the three candidates to conduct a fierce yet dignified election for the future of the Republic of Korea and the lives of its people."

Former leader Lee said, "Everyone knows how grave the significance of this election is," and added, "This is a historic watershed election that will decide whether we move forward into the future or return to the past, whether we build a hopeful society or one where despair and suffering continue."

He continued, "We must show who the capable ruling power is that can make Korea a proper country and create a better life for the people," and added, "For the better life of the people and a hopeful nation, the Democratic Party and whichever candidate we have must win this election."

Former governor Kim said, "The coalition of light that led to the impeachment of the president will continue in the new democratic government's administration after the regime change," and added, "Through this, we will completely end the insurrection, heal the divided conflicts among the people, and strive in the primary to become a democratic government capable of pushing through major reforms to resolve the national crisis."

He also expressed hope that "after the primary, the culture and practice of a democratic party that cleanly accepts the primary results and fights the presidential election as if it were their own will be established."

Governor Kim emphasized, "I will do my best to be evaluated and chosen as a solid economic president and a competent economic expert candidate," and added, "I will compete fiercely and through generous unity, do my utmost to achieve a change beyond just a regime change."