Democrats Warn Against Euphoria Over Ruling Party's Reflexive Victory... Next Task Is 'Innovation'

Kang Hoon-sik Does Not Use 'Regime Judgment Theory' as Strategy Until General Election
Proposes Opposition as Alternative Party
Emergency Faction: "Arrogance Leads to Death"

The Democratic Party, which won a landslide victory in the by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District in Seoul, is shifting its focus to party innovation in preparation for next year's general election. Although they won by a 17 percentage point margin in this by-election, it is interpreted as a reflection of the government's and ruling party's failures rather than an achievement based on the Democratic Party's own evaluation. As this is the first victory secured by the pro-Lee Jae-myung leadership, it is expected that the Lee Jae-myung representative's loyal faction will solidify its control, while efforts will focus on embracing the non-loyal faction and innovating to restore trust.

Jin Gyo-hoon, the elected mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and his spouse are raising their hands in greeting with senior members including Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the campaign office in Magok-dong on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 13th, Kang Hoon-sik, a member of the Democratic Party and leader of the largest parliamentary group 'The Better Future,' appeared on SBS Radio and said, "One of the things the Democratic Party must do until next year's general election is to show how it innovates and changes."

Regarding Lee Jae-myung's assessment that this by-election victory was "not a victory for the Democratic Party," Kang said, "The evaluation of the current administration's failures was made in this election, and the message was a warning that we must now show that we will do well."

He also stated that the 'judgment on the administration' strategy used in the Gangseo District mayoral by-election will not be used in the general election.

When asked by the host whether the 'judgment on the administration' strategy would be pushed until the general election, Kang replied, "No." He explained, "We need to show what kind of alternative party the Democratic Party is. The representative expressed that he does not consider this a victory for the Democratic Party but will devote all efforts to restoring people's livelihoods, the economy, safety, peace, and democracy. This will be the party's future barometer." He added, "How to create new changes that can encompass these goals will be the form of Democratic Party innovation."

At the same time, he emphasized that if there is no cooperation with the opposition and no change in the government's policy direction, the party will have no choice but to confront the ruling party more strongly as the opposition.

Kang said, "If there is no change in the government's policy direction, we will strongly point out the problems we have raised so far one by one. If there is change, we will respond accordingly."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the same day, Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, "Despite the public sentiment confirming the judgment on the arrogance, dogmatism, incompetence, and irresponsibility of the government and ruling party, it is very regrettable that there is no effort to reflect on or change the wrong policy direction." He urged, "President Yoon must change his dogmatic policy direction. The ruling party must also convey this public sentiment to the president without distortion."

The call for party innovation following this landslide victory is a common sentiment even among the non-loyal faction members.

Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party, appeared on KBS Radio that day and emphasized the party's unity and innovation, saying, "We must be closer to the public, humbler and faster."

He criticized, "If the rhetoric that still tries to divide the party, such as 'credit debt' and 'pus,' leads the party's front, it cannot continue. Arrogance leads to death."

This was a pointed remark addressing the division tactics such as threatening to collect 'credit debt' from non-loyal faction members who voted in favor of the Lee Jae-myung representative's arrest motion, amid expectations that the pro-Lee Jae-myung system will be strengthened by this by-election victory. Park said, "The People Power Party has received a bitter medicine from the people. Whether it is a tonic or poison is up to the People Power Party to decide, and the Democratic Party must act more humbly and lowly in this regard. Otherwise, it may face difficult results six months later."

Lee Sang-min also said on BBS Radio that day, "The Democratic Party did not win a landslide victory because it did very well and gained trust and support. Lee Jae-myung's comment that this was not a victory for the Democratic Party but a stern judgment by the people on the Yoon Seok-youl administration hit the mark."

He added, "If there is a ruling party and an opposition party in the National Assembly, the reality is that there is a faction holding party power and an opposing faction within the party. The necessity for very close communication with the opposing faction, true communication based on principles and representation, and efforts to eradicate injustice and corruption and establish justice through close communication with the opposing faction equally applies to the Democratic Party."

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