Official Candidacy Announcement at Gwanghwamun Tomorrow
Party Name to Be Changed to "Democratic Labor Party"
The "Social Transformation Presidential Election Solidarity Council" officially selected Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Justice Party, as its presidential candidate on April 30.
Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Justice Party, is holding a press conference for his candidacy. Justice Party
At 8:00 p.m. on the same day, the council announced the results of the presidential candidate selection, stating that Kwon received 70.5% of the votes, defeating Han Sanggyun, former chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, who received 29.5%. The total number of eligible voters was 7,559, with a voter turnout of 85.7%. The primary voting period was held from April 27 to April 30.
Kwon emphasized, "Today, this is not just an occasion for a single presidential candidate. It is filled with concerns about whether progressive politics can rise again, and whether we can restore progressive politics that confronts inequality and discrimination. Now, we must turn this moment into a path to victory."
Kwon also said, "I will proclaim that progressive politics is here, that we are speaking of a new world, and that there is a progressive president in Korea who envisions a country without discrimination. I ask everyone to join me until the end in creating progressive politics for all."
On April 12 and 13, the Justice Party decided at its National Committee and Party Congress to select a presidential candidate through the Social Transformation Presidential Election Solidarity Council, which is composed of the Justice Party, Labor Party, Green Party, and civil society organizations.
Kwon will hold an official press conference to announce his candidacy at 11:00 a.m. on May 1 in front of the Haetae Statue at Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Kwon is a former dismissed worker from Poongsan Metal. After passing the bar exam in 1999, he actively worked on labor issues, serving as a legal representative for Ssangyong Motor's mass layoffs and as the head of the fact-finding team for the Guui Station Kim incident. His main campaign pledges include: ▲ electoral system reform ▲ amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act ▲ a minimum citizen income of 1 million won ▲ introduction of a super-wealth tax on the top 0.1% ▲ enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law ▲ alternative legislation for abortion laws ▲ legalization of same-sex marriage ▲ a refugee law that respects human rights.
At the regular party congress held on April 27, the Justice Party passed a motion to change its name to the Democratic Labor Party. If more than half of party members vote in favor in the general membership vote to be held online and via ARS from May 2 to May 5, the party will officially adopt the new name, and Kwon will run in the presidential election as the Democratic Labor Party candidate.
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