People Power Party Supreme Council Candidates Appeal for Support in Gwangju

Presented Party Reform Direction and Presidential Strategy
Also Emphasized Ties with Honam

On the afternoon of the 30th, at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, candidates for the Supreme Council member of the People Power Party took the stage for a commemorative photo during the joint speech event for candidates from Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju. May 30, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Candidates running for the People Power Party Supreme Council on the 30th appealed for votes by asserting that they are the right person during the first joint speech held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju.

The candidates announced the party reform direction and presidential election strategies based on their careers.

Rep. Lee Young, who served as the head of the Digital Campaign Headquarters in the April 7 by-election, emphasized his background as an engineer and entrepreneur. Lee said, "We need to establish a concrete plan on how to achieve regime change and win the presidential election," adding, "When we were defeated by the Democratic Party’s big data in this general election, what countermeasures did our party have?" He further stated, "The presidential election is a cyber war, a data war," and "At least one of the Supreme Council members needs to be a digital cyber expert."

Rep. Bae Hyun-jin said, "I overcame four-term candidate Choi Jae-sung, who was the Democratic Party’s party leadership candidate, and came to claim the flag with difficulty," adding, "It was possible because party members and comrades who kept their trust even in barren lands were there." Bae, who joined the party when it was struggling in 2018, said, "I will make the party attractive and loved by all generations, not only the youth but also the parents’ generation," emphasizing, "Many people said they are tired of ideological wars, regional conflicts, and regional division incitement. There must be a new figure in the leadership who is free from all these problems. I, Bae Hyun-jin, will find that person for you."

Former Rep. Kim Jae-won expressed his intention to create a party where members are the owners and to restore members’ rights. Kim questioned, "Do we just pay party fees and get dragged to rallies to become applause squads? When important party decisions are made, does the party ask its members?" He pledged to increase the current 290,000 party members to one million. Kim said, "I promise to change the name from responsible members to rights members," and added, "I believe our party’s Supreme Council should become the supreme strategic command center with one million members as the main force."

Since it was a joint speech for Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju, the atmosphere of emphasizing ties with Honam continued.

Former Goyang-jeong Party Committee Chair Cho Dae-won said, "After graduating from the Korea Military Academy, when I was receiving second lieutenant training at Gwangju Sangmu Base, I went to the May 18th eve event, met Gwangju citizens, and learned about their pain," adding, "I want to break the tiresome regional sentiments." Cho also said, "Two years ago, at the Liberty Korea Party convention, on a stage where I was showered with insults, I apologized to Gwangju and the people for the May 18th slanders," and added, "The sacrifice and spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement is the spirit of the times that demands from us."

Rep. Cho Su-jin actively announced her Honam origin. She said, "I attended elementary, middle, and high school in Jeonju and covered President Kim Dae-jung as a political reporter," expressing, "I feel deeply moved." Cho praised, "Starting with the knee apology of Chairman Kim Jong-in, the grandson of Gaein Kim Byung-ro, Honam is looking at us again," and added, "The party members and comrades who silently endured and persevered in difficult places deserve great credit."

Three-term Rep. Cho Hae-jin mentioned his ties with Honam, saying, "On the 41st anniversary of May 18, I came to Gwangju with my wife and three daughters and spent a day visiting the Democracy Cemetery, in front of the Provincial Office, Geumnam-ro, and Chungjang-ro, reflecting on the events of that day 41 years ago." Cho said, "The strong wind blowing at the party convention and public sentiment are awakening us," adding, "They are telling us to become new, to properly unify the candidates for great integration, and to ensure no setbacks in regime change. They are holding, shaking, and awakening us." He shouted, "I will burn myself completely and fully combust," urging to move forward for regime change.

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