Lee Nak-yeon Proves 'Eodaenak' with Overwhelming 60% Victory... "Will Win the COVID War" (Comprehensive)

Lee Nak-yeon 60.77%, Kim Boo-kyum 21.37%, Park Joo-min 17.85%
Lee, in acceptance speech: "My duty is clear in this national crisis... We will win the war against COVID-19"
Kim Jong-min, Yeom Tae-young, Noh Woong-rae, Shin Dong-geun, Yang Hyang-ja elected as Supreme Council members

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Jeon Jinyoung] In the Democratic Party of Korea's leadership election, Representative Lee Nak-yeon was elected as the new party leader with an overwhelming support of over 60%. Five members, including Kim Jong-min, Yeom Tae-young, Noh Woong-rae, Shin Dong-geun, and Yang Hyang-ja, were elected as Supreme Council members.

On the 29th, the Democratic Party held a national delegate convention at the central party office in Yeouido. As a result, Representative Lee received 60.77% of the votes, defeating former Representative Kim Boo-kyum (21.37%) and Representative Park Joo-min (17.85%) to be elected as the new party leader.

In his acceptance speech, the new leader said, "The mission you have given me in this national crisis is clear," and declared, "We will win the war against COVID-19."

He added, "If we do not win this war, it will be difficult to regain peace in our daily lives," and stated, "To respond efficiently, systematically, and strongly to this war, I will expand and reorganize the current National Crisis Overcoming Committee and take the position of its chairman."

He also said, "We will work closely with the government and gain full participation from the people to overcome this national crisis faster and better," and pledged, "We will firmly respond to illegal acts, unfair practices, collective selfishness, and fake news that threaten the lives and safety of the people."

The new leader acknowledged, "The pain caused by COVID-19 will increase for a while. Unemployment will rise, and your lives will become more difficult." At this point, he appeared choked up and briefly showed signs of tears.

He continued, "Our great people are participating in this war with the determination that they are the main agents of quarantine," and emphasized, "We will definitely overcome this national crisis."

Lee also identified five major mandates given to him: ▲overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, ▲supporting people's livelihoods, ▲preparing for the post-COVID era, ▲politics of unity, and ▲accelerating innovation. He said, "We will promptly start full-scale consultations between the party and government to help the people facing hardship," and promised, "We will implement Chuseok livelihood measures that go beyond the existing methods."

Regarding party reform, the new leader said, "We will reform to empathize more closely with the pain of all sectors of the people and respond more accurately," and added, "We will improve into a competent, agile, and humble party before the people." On cooperation with the opposition, he stated, "While upholding principles, we will engage in 'principled cooperation' by conceding to the opposition where necessary."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Alongside the new leader, the Supreme Council members elected to lead the party include Representative Kim Jong-min (19.88%), Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon (13.23%), and Representatives Noh Woong-rae (13.17%), Shin Dong-geun (12.16%), and Yang Hyang-ja (11.53%). Representative Kim Jong-min, who received the highest vote share, will serve as the senior Supreme Council member.

The results of the leadership election were announced by combining 45% from national delegate votes, 40% from party members with voting rights, 5% from general party member polls, and 10% from public opinion polls. Among 16,270 delegates, 15,081 participated, recording a turnout rate of 92.69%. Among 796,886 party members with voting rights, 326,973 participated, resulting in a turnout rate of 41.03%. The new leader led all categories including delegate votes, party member votes, party member polls, and public opinion polls, ahead of the other two candidates.

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