Ruling Party Convention Heats Up... Kim Says He Feels "Passion" Over Party Operations, Jung Fires Back: "Once You Betray, You Betray Again"

[Financial News] Ahead of the DPK's Aug. 17 convention, a fierce clash broke out at a joint campaign rally for the Jeju regional primary. Party leader candidates Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok criticized rival Jung Chung-rae, saying he had fueled conflict with President Lee Jae-myung, while Jung countered by reinforcing Kim's "traitor frame."
Song Young-gil, Jung Chung-rae and Kim Min-seok, listed in ballot order, held a joint campaign rally for the regional primary on the 8th at Heritique Jeju in Jeju City.
Kim, who spoke first, said internal divisions had become severe during the convention period and that "passion" had spilled over. He said that if elected, his top priority would be to resolve the conflict. "As soon as the convention ends and I become party leader, I will set aside all the passion and anger I felt during this period and firmly begin efforts to completely bring the primary conflict down to zero," he said. "I agree with President Moon Jae-in's words that 'attitude is the essence of politics.' Through a major overhaul of attitude, culture and language, I will transform our debate culture into a dignified party-member sovereignty culture."
He added, "When making appointments, I will look only at capability," and promised, "Just as President Lee Jae-myung formed the government through merit-based appointments, if Kim Min-seok becomes party leader, I will build a Democratic Party where merit-based all-stars can all play."
Kim also said he would continue talks on a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) after resolving dual party membership, involuntary enrollment and phantom member issues. "I do not know whether it will become a merger or an alliance, but what is clear is that this will not be a bombshell declaration that ruins the discussion," he said. "Through procedure, deliberation and the resolve of party members, I will make the process democratic and deliberative, and the outcome the most beautiful one for the DPK, the RKP and the entire progressive camp."
Party leader Jung Chung-rae focused his attacks on Kim Min-seok. "Kim Min-seok said, 'I will do better from now on. I will seek harmony and forgiveness,' but is he sweeping aside the fact that the three-way alliance of anti-Lee Jae-myung forces, divisionists and Shincheonji is the essence of the convention? At the very least, shouldn't he apologize first? That's shameless," Jung said. "You attacked the party, left party members bruised and bloodied, and now what? Did it work? Did you get a lot of votes?"
Jung added, "Was abandoning Roh Moo-hyun for Chung Mong-joon in 2002 an act of devotion to unification?" He said, "It is Jung Chung-rae who keeps faith with the party and with the president. Only those who have kept faith can keep faith. Once you betray, you betray again." He also said he would launch an ethics probe into Kim's Shincheonji allegations as his "No. 1 party leader measure."
He also reached out to party members in the Honam region. Referring to the plan to build the Southwest Semiconductor Cluster, he said, "For the semiconductor cluster to succeed, we must secure water and power. We need to immediately pass the Special Act on Semiconductors in the National Assembly and designate a national industrial complex," adding, "We need a speed battle. Speed, drive and breakthrough power belong to Jung Chung-rae."
Song Young-gil again targeted Jung's bid for a second term. "In the Democratic Party's tradition, there is no second term for a party leader. President Lee Jae Myung's re-election was the only exception, made to protect the presidential candidate from the persecution of the prosecution dictatorship," Song said. "One person, one vote, and the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act were not anyone's monopoly, but achievements the Democratic Party accomplished together."
As for the qualifications for party leader, he stressed coordination with the government. "The convention is not a competition over reform, but a competition over who can best support President Lee Jae-myung and make the government successful," Song said. He added that the party leader should be "someone who will protect the president without shaking him, someone who will work for the success of the government, and someone who is not the president's secretary but a partner in state affairs."
He also reiterated that he would push for the impeachment of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Korea Cho Hee-dae. Calling judicial reform the final hurdle of reform, Song said, "Chief Justice Cho remained silent and complicit on the night of martial law, interfered in the presidential election by sending Lee Jae-myung's case back to trial, and is even avoiding the formation of constitutional institutions," adding, "I will immediately suspend him from duty."

[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter