Jo Jeong-sik "Gyeonggi Governor, Proposes National Participation Primary... Let's Agree on Primary Rules by the 8th"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Jo Jeong-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who announced his candidacy for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, proposed on the 5th that the party's primary election be conducted as a 'National Participation Primary' with a composition of national and party member electorates and a direct voting method.

On the 5th, Jo Jeong-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who declared his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor election, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office proposing the formation of a working group for primary election rules and a direct voting national participation primary election. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

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At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, Jo said, "We must not tire party members and the public or waste time with disputes over the fairness of the primary rules of leading candidates and related exhausting debates."

Jo pointed out, "Since Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave who declared the merger, announced his candidacy for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, debates over changes to the primary rules have erupted. Although Kim said he would coolly accept the party's decision, he has directly and indirectly expressed that the current Democratic Party's rule of 50% party member voting and 50% opinion polling is very disadvantageous to him."

He added, "We should not waste time on exhausting disputes over the fairness of the primary rules of leading candidates," and proposed applying the primary rules used in the last presidential primary to block disputes and boost the primary's popularity. He stated, "I propose a National Participation Primary with an electorate composition and direct voting method that elected candidate Lee Jae-myung through the presidential primary process, which was heated by the participation enthusiasm of 2.16 million party members and the public."

Jo emphasized, "After the presidential election, a rush of about 200,000 new party members demanding innovation in the Democratic Party has brought surprise and hope," and said, "We must open the opportunity to vote to them, who are called 'Daughter of Reform,' 'Conscientious Son,' 'Sister of Reform,' 'Uncle of Reform,' and 'Aunt of Reform.'"

He then proposed a National Participation Primary and a 'Working-level Negotiation Meeting for Primary Rule Consultation' to the preliminary candidates for Governor of Gyeonggi Province: Kim Dong-yeon, Ahn Min-seok, and Yeom Tae-young.

Jo said, "If the candidates fail to agree on the primary rules by this Friday (the 8th), I also propose unconditionally accepting the decision of the Party Election Commission," and added, "I propose holding at least three TV debates to introduce the candidates for Governor of Gyeonggi Province to party members and the public and to encourage policy competition."

He also urged Kim Dong-yeon to "quickly complete the merger process and clearly state whether he will participate in the primary as a Democratic Party candidate."

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