Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has expressed his intention to run for the party’s Supreme Council, emphasizing the importance of a “one team” approach between the party and the presidential office.
In a press conference held at the National Assembly’s Communication Hall on the 15th, Kang stated, “The success of Lee Jae-myung’s people’s sovereign government, the settlement of the People Power Party, and a sweeping victory in next year’s local elections are the three historical tasks we must complete. To fully take responsibility for these tasks, I am running for the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party.”
He emphasized, “Currently, the President is boldly carrying out reforms in the face of chaos and wounds left by insurgents, but he cannot complete these reforms alone. A joint effort between the party and the presidential office is essential. When the Democratic Party moves together, tangible results that the people can feel are produced.”
Kang also declared, “We will clear out the insurgent forces centered around the President and unite in an organized manner. The Democratic Party must become a well-organized ruling party, necessitating a well-coordinated leadership.” He added, “I, Kang Deuk-gu, with firm fighting power and deep loyalty, will step forward. To form a strong one-team, I, Kang Deuk-gu, known as ‘Strong Punch’, will step forward.”
Kang, a re-elected assemblyman, previously served as the Chief Deputy Secretary General in the ‘1st Lee Jae-myung Leadership’. He is considered a close aide to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. His emphasis on a joint effort between the party and the presidential office during his candidacy announcement is seen as a veiled criticism of former leader Jeong Cheong-rae, who faced controversy over communication between the party, government, and presidential office.
Fifteen incumbent members of the National Assembly, including Park Seong-jun, who served as Deputy Chief of Floor Operations under former Floor Leader Park Chan-dae, and fellow members Kwon Chil-seung, Lee Jeong-heon, and Min Byeong-deok, attended Kang’s announcement to express their support.
Prior to this, the Supreme Council members Jeon Hyun-hee, Kim Byeong-joo, and Han Jun-ho resigned to run in next year’s local elections, leading to a Democratic Party Supreme Council by-election scheduled for January 11. To date, non-mainstream candidates such as legislators Lee Geon-tae and Yoon Dong-cheol from the Busan Suyeong district committee, and mainstream candidate Lee Seong-yoon have officially announced their candidacies.