Hong Young-pyo, Running for Party Leader, "Realizing Responsible Party Politics... Betting Everything on Regaining Power"

On the 14th, Representative Hong Young-pyo Declares Candidacy for Party Leader
"We Must Reflect and Change... Toward Bold Progressivism"
"We Will Persuade the Opposition to Achieve a Social Grand Compromise"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "I will create bold progress with leadership based on breakthrough, unity, and responsibility."

On the morning of the 14th, Representative Hong Young-pyo (4-term), who has emerged as a candidate for the next leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and officially declared his candidacy for the party leadership election on May 2.

Photo by Hong Young-pyo's office

At the press conference, Representative Hong stated, "Through the by-election public sentiment, we confirmed that the Democratic Party was greatly lacking," adding, "I will deeply heed the people's warning, innovate, and competently address livelihood and reform tasks."

He emphasized, "The success of the Moon Jae-in administration is the reestablishment of the regime," and outlined three promises to achieve this: party stability and unity, smooth communication among the party, government, and Blue House, and preparing policies and presidential pledges centered on the party rather than candidates' organizations or think tanks.

First, Representative Hong said, "I will conduct a fair presidential primary based on a system and strengthen the party's leading role to take full responsibility for the success of the Moon administration." His plan is to supplement shortcomings while preserving the Democratic Party's history and values to lead the party stably.

In this process, he declared that the party will take the lead in the presidential election. Hong emphasized, "Unlike in the past, where candidates' private organizations such as think tanks took charge, I will ensure that the party can make major pledges and policies into official party positions." He explained that he aims to realize 'responsible party politics' with the party at the center.

Hong said, "We have 174 members of the National Assembly, 800,000 registered party members with voting rights, and 4 million party members," adding, "If we gather all these capabilities under the name of the Democratic Party of Korea, we can definitely win."

He then appealed for support by emphasizing himself as a "proven crisis resolver."

Hong stated, "I have always overcome crises and achieved results," noting, "During my time as floor leader in the 20th National Assembly, I laid the foundation for the Moon administration's reforms and passed five regulatory reform laws for innovative growth." He also mentioned, "I broke the conventional belief that laws opposed by the Liberty Korea Party and blocked by the prosecution cannot pass the National Assembly by successfully pushing the Corruption Investigation Office and police-prosecutor investigation authority adjustment bills through the fast-track process."

Hong said, "I will create a sustainable future for Korea through social grand compromise involving the opposition parties," and stressed, "With 329 days left until the presidential election, leadership based on unity and responsibility is needed more than ever. Please join me, who has always completed assigned tasks with excellent persuasion and negotiation skills."

The Democratic Party will hold a party convention on May 2 to elect a new party leader. The registration period for party leader candidates will be held over two days, the 14th and 15th, and Representatives Song Young-gil and Woo Won-shik are expected to officially declare their candidacies on the 15th.

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