Rival Party Leadership Candidates Hold Joint Rally in Daegu... Regional Pledges Draw Attention

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea Daegu Metropolitan City Party held its regular delegate conference and joint speech session for party leader and Supreme Councilor candidates on the 2nd at the EXCO 5th floor auditorium in Buk-gu, Daegu. Candidates for party leadership including Lee Nak-yeon, Kim Boo-kyum, and Park Joo-min focused on regional pledges, recognizing that Daegu and Gyeongbuk have traditionally been weak areas for the Democratic Party.

Lee, who was the first to take the podium, promised, "If I become party leader, I will definitely ensure regional representation from Yeongnam among the appointed Supreme Councilors." He stated, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk are expressing feelings of political alienation. I will do my utmost to prevent that. I will come to Daegu and Gyeongbuk whenever possible. Even in this era of non-face-to-face communication, I will meet with the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk in person, listen to your voices, share my difficulties, and reflect them in policies."

Lee continued, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk and Gwangju and Jeonnam may feel like the farthest places, but let’s end this regional division in our generation. No one chooses where they are born. The walls of regionalism have already begun to be broken down. Let’s definitely break regionalism in our generation," he emphasized.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Kim pledged a 'metropolitan economic zone' based on the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Kim said, "We will firmly push forward the integrated new airport relocation and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk metropolitan express railway network, which were agreed upon a few days ago," promising, "We will make Daegu and Gyeongbuk the leading region for the global robotics industry, the core of the 4th Industrial Revolution." He added, "We will also build a secondary battery industry belt connecting Gumi, Daegu, and Pohang, nurturing it as a future growth industry."

Kim stated, "Although we did not produce any elected officials in Daegu and Gyeongbuk in the last general election, we achieved a great victory nationwide. However, warning signs about the party are appearing here and there," emphasizing, "In this crisis, I will become the party leader who can gain public approval through managing by-elections and re-elections, the presidential election, and local elections, and be the vanguard of regaining power."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lastly, candidate Park mentioned his meeting with young party members from Daegu and Gyeongbuk that day, saying, "When summarizing the words of the youth, they said the Democratic Party must do well; only if the Democratic Party does well can Democratic Party members active in Daegu and Gyeongbuk hold their heads high and make people comfortable," adding, "I will create such a party. A proactive, vibrant party that communicates well with the people."

He continued, "The Moon Jae-in administration exists in history for the success of the people. We have been given not four years but two years," saying, "The party must change completely and look not to the opposition but to the people. We must be active in dialogue with the people. We must find answers from the people and ensure no one is forgotten, and be open to values such as fairness."

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