[Supreme Council By-Election] Kang Deukgu: "I Was the First to Call for Impeachment in the National Assembly... I Will Put an End to the Legacy of Insurrection"

Joint Campaign Speech for the Democratic Party Supreme Council By-Election

During the joint campaign speech for the by-election of the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidate Kang Deukgu, a member of the National Assembly, declared, "Kang Deukgu, who was the first to call for (Yoon Suk Yeol's) impeachment in the National Assembly, will put an end to the remnants of sedition."

Yonhap News Agency

At the joint campaign speech for the Democratic Party's Supreme Council by-election held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido on January 11, Kang stated, "With the same determination that put Yoon Suk Yeol on the stand of legal judgment, we must accomplish these tasks: establishing a dedicated court for sedition, launching a second special prosecutor, and achieving judicial reform."

Kang emphasized, "I was the first in the National Assembly to call for Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. When I first spoke of impeachment, even within the party, people said it was premature and turned away from me. However, I was convinced that Yoon Suk Yeol could not be entrusted with the Republic of Korea, and I called for impeachment with a sense of urgency."

Kang, who is considered part of the pro-Lee Jaemyung faction, highlighted his relationship with President Lee Jaemyung. He said, "During the 2021 presidential primary, who was the first lawmaker to speak out in the National Assembly about the truth of Daejang-dong, the manipulations by political prosecutors, and Lee Jaemyung's innocence? Who took the lead in fighting to uncover the truth about the Yangpyeong Gongheung District corruption case involving Kim Keonhee's family? It was candidate number 5, Kang Deukgu."

He continued, "I, Kang Deukgu, fought with everything I had against the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and the Kim Keonhee housekeeper gate. Right here, 67 days before the martial law, I held the 'Night of Impeachment' event. The forces of sedition filed complaints against me and called for my expulsion, but I did not waver." Kang added, "We must complete the eradication of sedition. We must root out the forces of sedition so that not even a trace of rebellion remains in the Republic of Korea."

He also stressed his commitment to winning the local elections. Kang said, "The most important factor for victory in the local elections is the President's approval rating. To ensure that President Lee can manage state affairs stably, the Democratic Party must provide unwavering support. The party, government, and presidential office must act in perfect unison, without any discord." He asserted, "I dare to say that I, Kang Deukgu, am the one who best understands the Democratic Party and can coordinate the party, government, and presidential office effectively."

He mentioned balanced regional development through the '5 Major Regions and 3 Special Regions' policy and referenced the pledge of Yoo Dongcheol, the pro-Lee Jaemyung candidate who recently withdrew from the Supreme Council by-election. Kang said, "For decentralization and balanced development to truly take root, grassroots democracy must be institutionally supported. Local party chapters must be revived. I will join in the dream of a nationwide party that Chairman Yoo advocated." He also added, "We must strengthen the status of local councils by enacting the Local Council Act."

In this by-election, where three Supreme Council members will be elected, Kang Deukgu, Moon Jeongbok, Lee Sungyun, and Lee Geontae have declared their candidacies. The final results are expected to be announced later in the day. In this by-election, each voter can vote for two candidates, and the Supreme Council members are selected by combining 50% of the votes from central committee members and 50% from dues-paying party members.