Democratic Party Chungcheong Regional Primary Joint Speech on April 19
Candidates Unite in Emphasizing "One Team"
At the first regional primary of the Democratic Party held in Chungcheong, the candidates?former Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung, former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyungsoo, and Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon?all emphasized the importance of being a "one team" in their speeches, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
On the afternoon of April 19, at the joint speech event for the Democratic Party's Chungcheong regional primary held at Cheongju Gymnasium in North Chungcheong Province, former leader Lee stated, "We will engage in fierce debate, but we will not lose the spirit of unity as one team."
Lee described the presidential primary as "a journey for the Democratic Party to unite as a greater Democratic Party and an essential process for victory in the main election," adding, "We will make this primary a competition to excel in vision and philosophy, so that the Democratic Party becomes stronger and more robust."
Governor Kim Dongyeon also stressed the "one team" spirit. He praised former leader Lee for "leading the end of internal strife at the forefront while serving as party leader," and commended former governor Kim Kyungsoo for "putting all his effort into restoring democracy, even going as far as to stage a hunger strike." Despite it being his own speech time, he asked party members to give applause to both of them.
Former governor Kim Kyungsoo declared his intention to establish a Chungcheong region megacity, stating, "The next administration, together with candidate Lee Jaemyung and candidate Kim Dongyeon, and myself, will take full responsibility and ensure its success."
This Democratic Party primary is characterized by a focus on policy competition, with no attacks among the candidates. The emergence of the phrase "Eodaemyung" (an abbreviation meaning "the president will inevitably be Lee Jaemyung") reflects the prevailing sentiment that it will be difficult to change this dynamic among the candidates. Even after the candidates' speeches at the joint event, the voices of party members chanting "Lee Jaemyung" filled the venue.
Meanwhile, starting with the Chungcheong regional primary, the Democratic Party will hold additional regional primaries in Yeongnam on April 20, Honam on April 26, and the capital region on April 27. The final presidential candidate is scheduled to be confirmed on April 27. If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held, and the candidate will be confirmed on May 1.
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