'Pro-Myeong' Park Chandae Announces Candidacy for Supreme Council Member... "I Will Build a Unified Democratic Party with Lee Jae-myeong"

After Announcing Resignation as Floor Deputy Leader, Holds Candidacy Press Conference
Emphasizes Unity, Vows to Create 'One Team Democratic Party'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Park Chan-dae, a Democratic Party lawmaker who is a strong candidate for Lee Jae-myung's 'running mate,' declared his candidacy for the Supreme Council member on the 14th. Park stated, "I will create a strong Democratic Party that wins with Lee Jae-myung, a Democratic Party of unity," putting Lee at the forefront.

On the morning of the same day, Park announced his intention to resign as the floor deputy leader through the party's policy coordination meeting. He said, "I will run for the Supreme Council member election at the party convention in August," and added, "Today is my last statement on current issues." Later, at a National Assembly press conference, he officially declared his candidacy, saying, "The party's leadership has weakened due to consecutive election defeats, and there are many 'it's your fault' disputes depending on positions and perspectives," and "I will practice responsible politics with Lee Jae-myung."

He promised to build a winning Democratic Party, a Democratic Party strong on people’s livelihood, a Democratic Party of unity, and a Democratic Party of responsible politics. Especially to create a 'one-team Democratic Party,' he emphasized the spirit of unity by saying, "I will ensure no one is discriminated against and that everyone is included." To this end, he pledged to expand voting rights to all party members to increase direct participation and to establish a Livelihood Crisis Countermeasures Team so that the party leadership directly addresses livelihood issues. He also proposed pledges such as setting up special committees to implement policy pledges for the presidential and local elections and a '100,000 Youth Party Member Training Plan' to nurture young leaders.

The possibility of running as a running mate with Lee Jae-myung, who will officially declare his candidacy for party leader on the 17th, has also increased. Lee’s side explained in a phone call, "Park is a figure who communicates well and gets along with all factions within the party."

After the press conference, when asked by reporters about criticisms that he might be relying on Lee, Park responded, "Even if I act completely independently from Lee in the future, not only in the party convention but also in my political activities, many people will not believe it," adding, "Since July 1 of last year, from the presidential election and primary until today, I have been working closely with Lee, sharing not only policies but many other aspects, so at a time when Lee’s candidacy is almost certain, you can honestly see my statement as expressing that I will work together politically."

When asked if he considers himself Lee’s running mate, he said, "I do think so," and added, "I communicate frequently with Lee."

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