Ruling Party Rallies Voters in Jeonbuk Stronghold: "Advancement Comes When We Unite as One"

Jeong Cheongrae and Han Byungdo Attend Launch Ceremony of Jeonbuk Provincial Party Election Committee

On May 17, the Democratic Party of Korea visited Jeonbuk, which is considered its political stronghold, in an effort to rally regional voter support. With the Jeonbuk governor race shaping up as a contest between Democratic Party candidate Lee Won-taek and independent candidate Kim Kwan-young, the party has characterized Kim's campaign as "agitation."

Jeong Cheong-rae, the Chief Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the launch ceremony of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Party Election Committee held at JJ Art Hall of Jeonju University in Jeonbuk on the 17th. He joined hands with Lee Won-taek, candidate for Governor of Jeonbuk Province, and Ahn Ho-young, co-Chief Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Jeonbuk Party, and posed for a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

Chief Standing Election Committee Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae and Co-Chief Standing Election Committee Chairman Han Byung-do attended the launch ceremony of the Jeonbuk Provincial Party Election Committee held at Jeonju University that afternoon.

Chairman Jeong stated, "The ruling party refers to the party to which the president belongs. Therefore, the Democratic Party is the ruling party," adding, "When the party, government, and the Blue House unite as one and work in unison, the Republic of Korea and its people can advance."

Chairman Han echoed these sentiments, saying, "We need the unity of party, government, Blue House, and local government, as well as the driving force of the Democratic Party. This driving force can enable a new leap forward for Jeonbuk. I hope we can come together as one to achieve victory for Jeonbuk and victory for the Democratic Party."

The visit by Chairman Jeong and others took place amid lingering unresolved conflicts among party members over the nomination of Lee as the candidate. Some members remain dissatisfied with Kim's expulsion from the party over the so-called "proxy fee payment" controversy.

In response, the Democratic Party has put forward Jo Jeong-sik, a leading pro-Lee Jae-myung figure within the party. Chairman Jeong said on this day, "Candidate for National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik is determined to play an active role as the chief standing election committee chairman for candidate Lee Won-taek until he assumes the speaker position."

Ahn Ho-young, who had staged a hunger strike over concerns about fairness in the Jeonbuk governor primary, also attended the launch ceremony as a co-chief standing election committee chairman.

Chairmen Jeong and Han are scheduled to attend the eve celebration for the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement that evening in Gwangju. They are expected to highlight the "May 18 spirit," move past the discord experienced during the nomination process, and emphasize the "one team" message.

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