Gominjung: "More Concerned About Withdrawal from Candidacy Declaration Than Party Exit Issue"

"Declaration of Not Running Sends a Strong Message to the Centrist Voters"
"Making Every Effort to Secure Four Members of the Byeonggye Faction"

Gominjeong, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised her voice saying, "We must make every effort to hold on to even one person, anyone," amid growing signs that four lawmakers belonging to the 'Principles and Common Sense' faction, a non-Lee Jae-myung group within the Democratic Party, are likely to leave the party.

On the 9th, Gominjeong appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' and said, "There must be efforts made with all one's might, even to the point of making a last stand. I believe that ultimately, the public can see through that." She added, "If after all that effort it still doesn't work, then it can't be helped," but emphasized, "The responsibility for how much we have tried to hold back those who want to leave lies more with us (the party leadership)."

Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung is reading the congratulatory speech of leader Lee Jae-myung at the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's birth, held on the 6th at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

Gominjeong also viewed the possibility of the 'Principles and Common Sense' lawmakers joining the 'Lee Nak-yeon New Party' as low, even if they leave the Democratic Party. She said, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon did not show much expression of opinions or efforts within the party and only recently returned (from the United States). However, the four members in 'Principles and Common Sense' have consistently voiced their opinions and made many efforts within the party, so their nature is somewhat different."

She also expressed greater concern about lawmakers not running for re-election than about party defections. She said, "Recently, lawmakers Hong Seong-guk and Lee Tan-hee declared they would not run again, which is a huge shock for our party." She continued, "When people who were somewhat recognized within the party and by voters declare they will not run, it sends a message that they no longer feel political efficacy or can no longer endure political disgust, which is a serious warning sign for the Democratic Party." She added, "If even one person declares they will not run in the future, the message it sends to the moderate voters would be too significant, so I am worried."

Regarding the destructive impact of the 'Lee Nak-yeon New Party' on the Honam region, she said, "I think politicians in Honam are quite likely to join hands with the Lee Nak-yeon New Party." She diagnosed, "Ultimately, a primary election is inevitable, and since the Honam primary carries the same weight as the general election, there is a high risk that many who lose there will leave." Gominjeong added, "Although Honam public sentiment might be like that, I don't think they will necessarily follow, but since every single vote is precious, we have to embrace even those people. That is why my disappointment with former leader Lee Nak-yeon is so great."

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