Supreme Council By-Election Heats Up for Democratic Party... Central Committee to Re-Vote on Local Election Nomination Rules

Pro-Lee Jae-myung Figure Kang Deukgu Announces Candidacy on December 15

The by-election for the Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea is becoming increasingly heated.

Kang Deukgu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is declaring his candidacy for the Supreme Council member at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of December 15, Kang Deukgu, a member of the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and officially announced his candidacy for the Supreme Council by-election scheduled for January 11. Kang is known as a pro-Lee Jae-myung figure and a close aide to Prime Minister Kim Minseok.

During the press conference, Kang stated, "The President alone cannot complete the reforms. A 'one team' between the party and the administration is absolutely necessary," adding, "When the Democratic Party moves together, tangible results that the people can feel are achieved."

He continued, "I have worked closely with President Lee Jaemyung since his time as Mayor of Seongnam. I was present on the frontlines of local autonomy as Speaker of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and as Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and during President Lee's tenure as party leader, I jointly oversaw party operations as Senior Deputy Secretary-General," emphasizing, "With that experience, I will unwaveringly support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."

On December 9 and 11, pro-Lee Jae-myung figures Yoo Dongcheol, head of the Busan Suyeong District Committee, and Lee Geontae, respectively, also declared their candidacies, criticizing Representative Jeong Cheongrae by saying, "The party is out of sync with the government." In contrast, Moon Jeongbok, classified as a pro-Jeong Cheongrae figure, attacked Yoo on December 12, saying, "I will fix your thunderous, unruly attitude." On December 14, Lee Seongyun, another pro-Jeong Cheongrae candidate, announced his run for the Supreme Council by-election, stating, "The Democratic Party was at its strongest when it became one team, when it was united."

This by-election is being held to fill the vacancies left by Supreme Council members Jeon Hyunhee, Han Junho, and Kim Byungjoo, who resigned to run in local elections. Candidate registration will take place over three days from December 15 to 17. The preliminary primary will be held from December 18 to 24, the main primary on December 26, the first debate on December 30, and the joint campaign speech and main vote on January 11.

Meanwhile, from 10 a.m. on December 15, the Democratic Party convened its Central Committee to hold a re-vote on amendments to the party constitution and regulations regarding the proportion of votes reflected in the selection of proportional representative candidates for basic councilors-50% rights party members and 50% executive committee members (city/provincial party decision-making bodies)-and for metropolitan councilors, 100% rights party member votes. The results will be announced after the voting ends at 6 p.m.

Representative Jeong Cheongrae said, "The constitutional amendment failed to pass last time (on December 5) despite an 80% approval rate due to insufficient voter turnout," adding, "This proposal needs to pass in order to begin candidate nomination work for the local elections." The Central Committee will also discuss changes to the method of electing Supreme Council members in the by-election. The by-election will be decided by a vote split equally between 50% Central Committee members and 50% rights party members.