“The Ruling Party’s Strategy to Support the Lee Administration is Urgent”
Park Chan-dae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced his candidacy for the party leader on the 23rd, stating, “I will concentrate all the capabilities of the Democratic Party for the success of Lee Jae-myung’s administration.”
In a press conference at the Democratic Party’s central headquarters that morning, Park said, “After much deliberation, I have decided to run for the party leader.”
He further stated, “I will engage in a respectable competition with those who declare their candidacy before me. I will focus on respectful competition that re-affirms camaraderie, seeks better solutions, and values unity over victory.”
Moreover, he emphasized, “The first Democratic Party leadership to be formed after the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung’s government must thoroughly adhere to ‘capable reform politics.’ A ruling party strategy is urgently needed to support the president’s promises of ‘just unification’ and ‘flexible pragmatism.'”
He continued, “The party and the government must become a true ‘one team’ that organically coordinates direction and pace. Therefore, the Democratic Party needs someone who is capable yet humble, principled yet flexible. I boldly assert that I am the most suitable candidate at this point in time.”
Additionally, Park pledged to execute six commitments if elected as party leader: focusing all the Democratic Party’s capabilities on the success of Lee Jae-myung’s government, fully supporting a special investigation to completely end internal conflicts, completing the three major reforms of prosecution, judiciary, and media, respecting the opposition while refusing low-level deals, realizing party members’ sovereignty, and achieving a landslide victory in local elections.
Park expressed his desire to “walk the formidable path of completing the revolution of light with everyone” and appealed, “I will surely keep my promises. Give me a chance.”
Meanwhile, with Park’s candidacy, the competition with Jung Cheong-rae, who previously announced his candidacy, is expected to intensify.
The Democratic Party plans to hold a series of circuit elections starting from the Chungcheong region on July 19, followed by Youngnam on July 20, Honam on July 26, Gyeonggi/Incheon on July 27, and Seoul/Gangwon/Jeju on August 2, concluding with an extraordinary party convention on August 2 to elect a new party leader.