The Democratic Party and the Election Commission Proceed with Primary Schedule as Planned... Kim Du-gwan "Proposes Leadership to Postpone Schedule"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party's Election Commission decided on the 19th to proceed with the party-hosted primary schedule as planned despite Assemblyman Kim Du-gwan's two-week self-quarantine. However, only the radio debate scheduled for the 20th was postponed to the 3rd of next month. Assemblyman Kim plans to officially communicate the schedule delay to the party leadership.

On the same day, Han Jun-ho, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, told reporters after the Election Commission meeting, "Regarding the four TV debates from August 27 to September 10, the Election Commission decided to proceed without delay in terms of predictability and stability."

Election Commission Chair Lee Sang-min explained, "August 27 was set because on September 4 and 5, on-site voting and regional tour debates are scheduled in Daejeon, Chungnam, Sejong, and Chungbuk, and considering that online ARS voting starts four days prior, from the 31st of August," adding, "Since voting begins on August 31, regional broadcast debates must be held the week before to provide information to local voters."

He emphasized, "The common opinion among Election Commission members is that changing the date of August 27, which was set accordingly, is difficult."

Accordingly, Democratic Party presidential candidates are scheduled to attend debates on September 1 at OhmyTV, September 3 on CBS Radio, September 7 on TV Chosun, and September 10 at Yeongnam region broadcasters.

The Chair stated, "Although Candidate Kim's side expressed a desire to postpone the entire schedule, changing the overall schedule is originally within the authority of the Party Affairs Committee, and since the Party Affairs Committee has delegated authority to the Supreme Council, it is not a matter for the Election Commission to decide."

In response, Assemblyman Kim's side released a statement saying, "We plan to officially convey our opinion once again to the party leadership." They explained, "We proposed three measures to the Election Commission: 'postponing the primary schedule,' 'arranging participation methods for Candidate Kim Du-gwan if the schedule proceeds as planned,' and 'establishing measures and principles to prevent confusion in the primary in case of future candidate infections or quarantines.'" They added, "Regarding the postponement of the primary, Candidate Jeong Se-gyun's side requested that the Election Commission Chair collect opinions and convey them to the Supreme Council, and Candidates Lee Nak-yeon and Park Yong-jin's sides agreed with this."

They continued, "However, Candidate Lee Jae-myung's and Candidate Chu Mi-ae's sides decided to organize their camp's stance and deliver it later," and "To prevent future confusion in the primary, the party leadership is being asked to proactively establish consistent principles and measures for cases where a candidate tests positive, self-quarantines, or faces equivalent emergency situations, and that the primary, including TV debates, should be postponed for the time being. This will be officially conveyed once again to the party leadership."

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