<기사> Democratic Party's Previous Campaign Committee to Launch as Early as the 31st... Kim Du-kwan and Lee Kwang-jae Expected to Lead Key Battlegrounds

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea is set to launch its 4.15 general election campaign committee as early as the 31st. It is reported that heavyweight figures will be appointed as campaign committee chairs in key battlegrounds such as Gangwon and Gyeongnam, signaling a solid preparation stance for the general election.

According to a Democratic Party official on the 30th, the party plans to approve the formation and establishment of the campaign committee at the Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 31st, followed by the official launch of the committee. Party leader Lee Hae-chan and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon will serve as joint standing campaign committee chairs to lead the election. Representatives from various sectors are also expected to participate in the committee. Additionally, Democratic Party Supreme Council members are reported to participate ex officio in the campaign committee.

However, the party leadership is reportedly considering delaying the launch of the campaign committee due to the urgent need for close party-government cooperation to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

The Democratic Party’s campaign committee operation method is likely to involve appointing campaign committee chairs by region to take responsibility for and lead their respective areas.

In particular, it is known that Leader Lee will meet former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae in the evening to request his role in this general election.

Former Governor Lee was stripped of his eligibility to run for office after being sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year probation in January 2011 on charges of illegal political fund receipt, but he was reinstated last December through a special pardon by President Moon Jae-in.

Former Governor Lee has worn the National Assembly badge twice in Gangwon, a region classified as a conservative stronghold, and was even elected governor, demonstrating considerable influence in the area. Therefore, it is highly likely that Leader Lee will both encourage him to run in the Gangwon region and appoint him as a campaign committee chair.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The PK region, including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, expected to be the fiercest battleground in the general election, is likely to be led by Representative Kim Du-kwan. On the same day, Representative Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly, declaring, "Back to Yeongnam, opening an era of livelihood and reform, protecting Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in," and announced his candidacy for the 21st general election in the Yangsan-eul district.

He emphasized, "Whether it is the victory of livelihood or the victory of power lust depends on the Gyeongnam, Busan, and Ulsan elections (PK). The turning point is the Nakdong River battle," adding, "Only the victory in the Nakdong River battle will ensure that the sacrifices of Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, who fought to overcome regionalism, and many others will not be in vain, and more broadly, it is the way to protect 50 years of democratization history."

Accordingly, the Democratic Party is expected to present a development strategy covering the entire PK region under a 'two-top system' with Representatives Kim Du-kwan and Kim Young-choon (Busanjin-gap). Earlier, Representative Kim met with Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who advised, "Gyeongnam is very difficult due to the decline of the shipbuilding industry, and as a breakthrough, we need to establish a vision based on the mega-city concept encompassing Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.