Song Young-gil: "Hardcore Moon supporters, if complacent, cannot protect President Moon"... Lee Nak-yeon: "Party members feel insulted... must apologize"

On the afternoon of the 4th, at the CJB Convention Center in Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, former leader Lee Nak-yeon is speaking at the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary event "National Interview." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Former Democratic Party leader and presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon urged Song Young-gil, the party leader who used the term 'Daekkaemun,' to apologize on the 5th.

Oh Young-hoon, chief spokesperson for Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, issued a written statement saying, "Leader Song should apologize to the party members who have upheld the values and beliefs of the Democratic Party so far and perform the role of party leader in line with the spirit of the Democratic Party by managing a fair primary election."

Earlier, at a Kwanhun Club invitation debate that morning, Leader Song said, "Within the party, there are some extreme supporters who say that certain candidates absolutely must not win and would rather vote for the opposition," adding, "The moment someone who loudly calls themselves 'Daekkaemun' thinks that some candidates can win and others cannot, we cannot protect President Moon Jae-in," which sparked backlash within the party.

Chief spokesperson Oh pointed out, "Leader Song used the term 'Daekkaemun' for some supporters of Democratic Party members at an official event," adding, "As a result, party members who created Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in as a 'one team' felt insulted all day long, and the party's message board was paralyzed."

He continued, "Leader Song made incomprehensible claims such as 'The pro-Roh faction did not support candidate Chung Dong-young, so they lost,' and 'Within the party, the careless thinking that some candidates can win and others cannot will neither protect nor ensure the success of President Moon,'" criticizing, "Nowhere in Leader Song's statement clarifying it was a misunderstanding did he apologize to the party members who share the Democratic Party's platform and basic policies."

Finally, he emphasized, "The leader of a public party cannot be above the party constitution, party rules, or party members," and added, "The 'one team' Democratic Party, which has protected the third Democratic government and is running toward the fourth Democratic government, wants a party leader who matches that dignity."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Kwanhun Debate held at the Seoul Press Center on the morning of the 5th, responding to questions. [Image source=Yonhap News]

After his remarks caused controversy, Leader Song explained on Facebook that evening, "I used the term 'Daekkaemun' during the process of saying that this presidential primary should be a process of harmony and unity," and clarified, "(Daekkaemun) is a term created by our supporters themselves to steel their resolve and encourage voting around them."

Meanwhile, another ruling party presidential candidate, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, criticized Leader Song on his Facebook, saying, "The primary has just started, yet he made a biased statement as if a specific candidate has already been confirmed, which is unbelievable," and added, "Fairness, identity, and prudence are the lifeblood of party management. Where on earth is he trying to lead the party?"

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