August 2 National Convention Candidate Speech
Park: "The vested interest cartel is too much for Lee to handle alone"
Park Chan-dae: "I will take the arrows in his place"
Park Chan-dae, a lawmaker running for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on August 2, "We must ensure the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration. We need to fight and work together so that Lee Jaemyung can remain by our side," expressing his confidence as a candidate capable of forming a united front between the party and the government.
During his speech at the Democratic Party's 2nd Extraordinary National Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on this day, Park introduced himself as "the winning card for the Lee Jaemyung administration." He said, "Now, the era of Lee Jaemyung has arrived. Right now, we have President Lee Jaemyung. He is fighting and working. This time must be different. This time, we must protect him," making his position clear.
Park, who mentioned that he began his political career following the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun, said, "We created a world where the people are the owners, and a Democratic Party where party members are the owners. But in reality, Roh Moo-hyun is no longer with us." He continued, "I placed my hand on President Roh's hearse and made a promise. I vowed to realize the world where people truly live, the organized power of awakened citizens that the President dreamed of. That is how I started my political journey." This statement is interpreted as an attempt to evoke nostalgia for former President Roh among party members while emphasizing the need to protect President Lee, aiming to win their support.
Park Chandae, the Democratic Party candidate for party leader, is delivering his policy speech at the National Party Members' Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Park also highlighted his experience working closely with President Lee when Lee was party leader and he himself was the floor leader, emphasizing that he can form a united team with President Lee. "Having already worked closely with President Lee Jaemyung and Prime Minister Kim Minseok, I will create an organic party-government system through close communication," he said. "As floor leader, I, Park Chan-dae, have designed and pushed forward policies competently and powerfully. There was not a single mistake or controversy," he stressed.
Park argued that the prosecution, judiciary, and media constitute a vested interest cartel that shakes the political landscape. He said, "The burden facing President Lee Jaemyung is not something he should bear alone. The party must take responsibility together and lead the fight," emphasizing, "So that President Lee can focus solely on people's livelihoods, I, Park Chan-dae, will take those arrows in his place."
Candidate Park stated, "The first year of creating a new future for the Republic of Korea is now in our hands. This first year will determine the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "Victory in next year's local elections and the beginning of the 5th, 6th, and 7th terms of democratic governments after the Lee Jaemyung administration all depend on the achievements of this year."
He continued, "Five years from now, next to a successful Lee Jaemyung administration, there will be a Democratic Party that stood with the people. We must become a truly national party that expands to the center and wins the hearts of the Yeongnam region," and added, "A party where the members are the true owners must be completed. It is up to us, today, to make that vision a reality. Please choose who will take the first step to turn that vision into reality."
At the convention, the Democratic Party will elect both a party leader and one Supreme Council member. The candidates for party leader are four-term lawmaker Jung Chungrae and three-term lawmaker Park Chan-dae, while first-term lawmaker Hwang Myungseon is running alone for Supreme Council member. The candidate who receives the most votes, calculated by combining 55% from dues-paying party members, 15% from delegates, and 30% from a general public poll, will be elected.
Park Chandae, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is entering the National Party Members' Convention held at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
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