Song Young-gil: "If you have time and energy to criticize my candidacy, run yourself or find a new candidate"

by Oh Jooyean

Published 15 Apr.2022 12:33(KST)

Updated 19 Apr.2022 14:09(KST)

"Song Young-gil Leads Support Rate Among Democratic Party Base"
Seoul Strategic District Decision, No Primary Strategy Nomination Declared 'Seoul Mayor Defeat'
"If No Primary Opportunity Given, It Means Song Young-gil Is Politically Dead"
"Lee Nak-yeon Has 0% Chance of Running... Imagining the Impossible, Unbelievable"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil criticized internal party criticism surrounding his candidacy for Seoul mayor on the 15th, saying, "I think these comments come from a place of care for me," but added, "If they have the time and energy, they should either run themselves or quickly prepare a new candidate. I worry that they are effectively giving up on the election."

On the same day, Song appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "(With less than 40 days left until the June local elections,) are we really going to run for mayor against the strong candidate Oh Se-hoon?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Democratic Party leadership's designation of Seoul as a strategic constituency, Song strongly opposed the possibility of a 'strategic nomination without a primary.'

He said, "I understand the leadership's difficulties," but added, "However, not holding a primary and opting for a strategic nomination is a declaration of defeat and surrender in the Seoul mayoral race." He continued, "Currently, no candidate can beat Oh Se-hoon. In fact, I consistently rank first in Democratic Party support. How can we find a winning candidate? We have to fight and win."

Song criticized, "I am a former party leader and a five-term National Assembly member. I am willing to give up my assembly seat to run, but if I am excluded without even a chance at a primary, what kind of energy will the party have? Isn't this politically equivalent to saying Song Young-gil is dead?"

He added, "The party leadership is engaging in incomprehensible actions like this, and I am once again strongly urging them to hold a primary."

Regarding calls for former leader Lee Nak-yeon's candidacy for Seoul mayor, he responded, "There is absolutely no chance (that Lee will run)." He emphasized, "I don't understand why people imagine possibilities that don't exist. According to members close to former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, there is absolutely no chance of that."