"Reborn Anew"... Democratic Party Aiming for a 'Turnaround' in Local Elections Through Reform

Kim Min-seok "If we exceed 9 out of the majority, Democratic Party's complete victory"
Park Ji-hyun "We must start with sincere reflection"
Kim Dong-yeon "I will win with a desperate heart"

Lee Jae-myung, the Chief Election Strategy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a greeting at the launch ceremony of the Democratic Party of Korea's Integrated Election Strategy Committee for the nationwide simultaneous local elections and by-elections, as well as the certificate awarding ceremony, held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has launched its election campaign committee and officially begun preparations for the local elections. The party emphasized the need for reform and reflection following the presidential election defeat, as well as the role of Lee Jae-myung as the general election campaign committee chairman, accelerating their efforts.

Kim Min-seok, the general head of the campaign committee, declared at the launch ceremony held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 11th, "The Democratic Party will clearly acknowledge the presidential election defeat and responsibly face the people."

He predicted, "If we win in 8 out of 11 polls, including 3 additional ones to the current 5 where we are leading, we will achieve victory. If we surpass the majority with 9, the media and the public will evaluate the Democratic Party as having won a complete victory."

He added, "Starting from the Gyeonggi and Incheon regions to create momentum, securing a majority victory in Chungcheong, and winning as much as possible in Seoul and other regions is essential. At the center of this is Lee Jae-myung, the former presidential candidate and general election campaign committee chairman," he emphasized.

Park Ji-hyun, the standing election committee chairperson, reiterated the party’s need for reform. Park said, "I will tell you the first condition for victory. It must begin with a thorough reflection," adding, "We must ask for forgiveness for our shortcomings as they are and promise to be reborn anew."

She mentioned the failure to achieve the 30% youth nomination target and the decrease in electoral districts with three or more candidates, expressing, "I am sorry." Furthermore, she urged, "All candidates must deeply reflect on the presidential election defeat and promise to change the Democratic Party to its core after the local elections," and pointed out, "We must drive out sentimentalism and appeal to become a party that protects the people's interests, not one that guards vested interests."

On this day, the campaign committee emphasized the role of Lee Jae-myung, the standing advisor who took the position of general election campaign committee chairman. Yoon Ho-jung, a committee member, said, "Although Lee Jae-myung has become a candidate again and is aware of the barrage of criticism he will face, we are grateful that he willingly took the lead at the party’s strategic request," and added, "We firmly believe he will play a pivotal role in securing victory in the local elections."

In response, Lee Jae-myung said, "I have not forgotten that the greatest responsibility for the last presidential election result lies with me, the candidate Lee Jae-myung," and stated, "In the last presidential election, the people chose the ‘judge’ over the ‘worker.’ I believe that in the (June 1 local elections), the people will choose the ‘competent worker.’ Dear citizens, I want to work."

He continued, "There is a clear truth that power corrupts when concentrated. Therefore, power must be divided and balanced, and within that balance, it is about placing the people at the center and competing over who is loyal to the people." The campaign committee members present at the launch repeatedly shouted "Lee Jae-myung" in response.

He added, "I believe the Democratic Party candidates running in the (June 1 local elections) are competent candidates who will prove their ability through their achievements," and stated, "This time, for true national stability and balance, following the choice of the judge, the people will make an excellent choice to improve our lives by choosing the worker."

Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Ji-hyun and Yoon Ho-jung, co-chairs of the Emergency Committee, are performing the national ceremony at the launch ceremony of the Democratic Party of Korea's Integrated Election Committee for the nationwide simultaneous local elections and by-elections, as well as the certificate awarding ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Meanwhile, the appointment and introduction speeches for the 17 metropolitan and provincial governor candidates continued. Kim Dong-yeon, the Gyeonggi Province governor candidate, expressed, "I will definitely win for Gyeonggi Province and the Democratic Party. I will win with a desperate and urgent heart," and declared, "By winning in Gyeonggi Province, I will surely create a foothold for the Democratic Party to win nationwide elections in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and the Chungcheong region."

Song Young-gil, the Seoul mayor candidate, also said, "I will do my best to be of some help to the candidates."

Yang Moon-seok, the South Gyeongsang Province governor candidate, stated, "South Gyeongsang, Busan, and Ulsan are defensive battles," and raised his voice, "There has been much talk that former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is non-mainstream, but the Democratic Party’s non-mainstream regions are South Gyeongsang, Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang. We will properly show how this non-mainstream can stir up a whirlwind of rebellion."

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