Yeo Primary Schedule Delayed by 5 Weeks... Presidential Candidates "Accept Party Leadership Decision" (Comprehensive)

Lee Nak-yeon Side "Not Until Herd Immunity Formation, But Accepts on a Grand Scale"
Jung Sye-kyun "Late but Respectful"... Lee Jae-myung Side "Will Humbly Comply"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's decision to postpone the primary schedule by 5 weeks, presidential candidates stated that they "accept the party leadership's decision." However, the camp of former representative Lee Nak-yeon said that while they believe it would be preferable to delay until November, they will accept it from a magnanimous perspective.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 19th, Bae Jae-jung, a former lawmaker and spokesperson for former representative Lee Nak-yeon's election camp, said, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon and the Lee Nak-yeon 필연 (Pilyeon) Camp have repeatedly stated that 'the most important thing is the safety of the people, party members, and supporters,'" expressing this position.

Until now, Lee Nak-yeon's camp has advocated for postponing the primary schedule by about two months until November.

Although the party leadership's announcement to delay the primary schedule has postponed it by about one month, it falls short of the period expected by Lee's camp.

Bae said, "The 필연 Camp's judgment that it is desirable to postpone the primary schedule until the point when herd immunity can be formed amid the current phase of the fourth wave of COVID-19, including the spread of variant viruses, remains valid."

Bae added, "While we cannot help but have concerns about the leadership's 5-week postponement, the 필연 Camp respects the party leadership's decision and announces that it accepts it from a magnanimous viewpoint."

Other presidential candidates also expressed their intention to accept the party's decision to postpone the primary.

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on Facebook, "The safety of the people is the top priority," and added, "I initially proposed postponing the primary until after herd immunity is achieved and safe public participation is guaranteed. Although late, I respect the party's decision."

The camp of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung also released a statement saying, "We will humbly abide by the Democratic Party and the party's election commission's decision to postpone the primary." Spokesperson Park Sung-jun said, "This is a severe time when the party must focus all efforts on COVID-19 prevention," and added, "No one affiliated with the Democratic Party is an exception."

The Democratic Party's Central Election Commission decided on the same day to postpone the final presidential candidate selection from September 5 to October 10, a 5-week delay.

If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held in mid-October to select the nominee.

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