The candidates for the Supreme Council by-election of the Democratic Party of Korea have pledged a “fair election,” agreeing not to slander their opponents.
On the 19th, Yoo Dong-cheol, the district chairperson of Busan Suyeong-gu, Moon Jeong-bok, Lee Geon-tae, Lee Seong-yoon, and Kang Deuk-gu—candidates for the Supreme Council by-election from the Democratic Party—took an oath at the National Assembly. They vowed not to engage in practices that disrupt fair elections, such as spreading false information, offering money or favors, slandering candidates, negative campaigning, or inciting regional sentiments.
Furthermore, they pledged to “unite with party members and the public to open the path for Democratic Party reforms and victory through cleaner and fairer competition,” and to “comply with the party constitution, regulations, and the decisions of the Central Party Election Management Committee, approach the election with a fair and just attitude, and absolutely accept the election results.”
Democratic Party Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae expressed his hope for a “positive and beautiful election,” encouraging candidates to compete fairly and to praise each other’s strengths if necessary, which would ideally lead to a constructive election atmosphere.
He also encouraged the candidates to “strengthen the leadership through the Supreme Council election and work hard to ensure that there are no setbacks in the successful course of the Lee Jae-myung administration through victory in the local elections.”
This by-election is regarded as a contest between the pro-Lee faction and the pro-Jeong faction. Yoo Dong-cheol, Lee Geon-tae, and Kang Deuk-gu are categorized as pro-Lee, while Moon Jeong-bok and Lee Seong-yoon are considered pro-Jeong. However, the candidates are emphasizing “One Team Democratic Party” to avoid the election being perceived as a contest between factions.
The by-election aims to fill three vacant Supreme Council seats after Han Jun-ho, Jeon Hyun-hee, and Kim Byung-joo resigned to run in the upcoming local elections. The campaign will include debates on December 30th, January 5th, and January 7th, followed by a joint speech event and the main election on January 11th.
The election will reflect votes equally from central committee members and rights party members, employing a “two-person cumulative voting” system to nominate two candidates.
[Photo credit: Yonhap News]