Democratic Party Elects Park Kwang-on as New Floor Leader... Landslide Victory in First Round Without Runoff (Comprehensive)

Park Kwang-on was elected as the new floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 28th, the Democratic Party held a party meeting to elect the floor leader, and Park won by securing a majority of votes in the first round. The Democratic Party's floor leader election management committee decided not to disclose the vote counts for each candidate.

Throughout the primary, the new floor leader Park emphasized "unity." He was regarded as the only candidate from the non-Lee Jae-myung faction.

In addition to Park, other candidates in this floor leader race included Hong Ik-pyo, Kim Du-kwan, and Park Beom-gye.

In his victory speech, Park stressed unity and the restoration of the Democratic Party's values.

Park Kwang-on, the newly appointed floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is congratulated by Lee Jae-myung, the party leader (left), and former floor leader Park Hong-geun after being confirmed as the winner at the party members' meeting held on the 28th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, for the election of the 4th floor leader of the 21st National Assembly Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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He said, "I will walk the path of winning unity together with all the members," and added, "I will make sure to achieve bold change and solid unity."

Regarding the controversy over cash envelopes at the party convention, Park expressed his determination to actively pursue reform. He said, "Above all, I am grateful that we have once again confirmed the strong will of the members to reform in the direction the people want," and added, "I believe that restoring public trust is what will make our strength even stronger."

Park stated, "Attitude is essential. While being aware of the seriousness surrounding us, I think the public is paying more attention to how our party views and handles this issue?it's a matter of attitude," and said, "I will do my best to convene a party meeting as soon as possible to find a truly wise solution to this problem." He also said, "I will listen to and respect each member's opinion overnight if necessary, and gather consensus," and "Then, I will report to the public."

Regarding the future role of the floor leader, he emphasized expanding the values of the Democratic Party.

Park said, "I will further expand the Democratic Party's values and strengthen the areas that are lacking," and added, "We will go deeper and wider into the people. We will unite our efforts to become a just and fair Democratic Party that always places people at the center, a people-centered Democratic Party."

He said, "The social pains include the 20-somethings working in bakeries, young people who have been victims of jeonse fraud, security guards suffering from power abuse and indirect employment, school meal workers exposed to lung cancer, and the young people who went to Itaewon and never returned," and added, "We will correct the wrong policies of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

Regarding the special investigations into the 5 billion won club and Kim Geon-hee, Park said, "We hope the People Power Party will humbly accept this," and added, "Only then will cooperation between the people, the Democratic Party, and the government be possible, and we can overcome the crisis."

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