Choi Jae-sung: "Im Jong-seok Must Join the Democratic Party's Standing Election Committee for the 'Strongest Election Committee'"

"Ihaechan and Kimbugyeom Should Include Im Jongseok"

Choi Jae-sung, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, emphasized on the 12th that "Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, is the last move that can gather all the assets and capabilities of the Democratic Party of Korea," and insisted that Im should join the party as a permanent co-chair of the election campaign committee. He argued that Im's role is necessary in the Democratic Party’s election campaign committee, which was launched with a three-headed leadership of Lee Jae-myung, former leader Lee Hae-chan, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum.

On the same day, Choi appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' and said, "Besides the pro-Lee Jae-myung and anti-Lee Jae-myung frame, the party can be divided into those who left the Democratic Party and those who did not. Those who did not leave, despite differences in thoughts and methods, share the same love for the party and desire for victory in the general election," adding, "Im Jong-seok, who did not leave the party, also has love for the party and a desire for victory in the general election, so if given a role, he will do well."

The day before, Im Jong-seok urged party unity centered on Lee Jae-myung through social media. He said, "This general election is a vote to evaluate and sternly judge the Yoon Seok-youl administration’s governance," and "We must break through centered on Lee Jae-myung." Im, who was excluded from the nomination for the Seoul Jung-Seongdong-gap constituency on the 27th of last month, had his request for reconsideration rejected but decided to remain in the party, accepting the party’s decision.

Former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 28th of last month, expressing his position on the Democratic Party's decision to exclude him from the primary (cutoff). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Choi reiterated, "Im Jong-seok should take on the role of permanent co-chair of the election campaign committee." The Democratic Party, which launched the campaign committee with the three-headed leadership of Lee Jae-myung, Lee Hae-chan, and Kim Boo-kyum, has also hinted at the possibility of Im joining the committee. Kim Min-seok, head of the Democratic Party’s general election situation room, said at a National Assembly briefing the day before, "The party and Lee Jae-myung expressed gratitude to Im Jong-seok for accepting the party’s decision, and there has been a message that it would be good if he participates in the campaign committee in any form, including as a co-chair," adding, "I think everything is open."

However, Choi emphasized that the current campaign leadership should make a concrete proposal for Im Jong-seok’s participation in the campaign committee.

He said, "It seems that Lee Jae-myung has not made a specific proposal related to the campaign committee to Im Jong-seok," and "Former leader Lee Hae-chan and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum should bring Im Jong-seok into the integrated campaign committee to complete it." He continued, "Former leader Lee Hae-chan has been a political mentor to Lee Jae-myung and, as a successor of the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations, has appeal to the pro-Roh and pro-Moon factions," and "Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is from Daegu and is integrative." He added, "The Democratic Party was greatly shaken when Im Jong-seok was excluded from the nomination," and "If Lee Jae-myung, Lee Hae-chan, Kim Boo-kyum, and Im Jong-seok all serve as permanent co-chairs, the Democratic Party will resolve all conflicts and form the strongest campaign committee."

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