Democratic Party candidates Kim Min-seok, Jeong Cheong-rae, and Song Young-gil emphasized party unity while engaging in sharp exchanges during the second week of the primary campaign for the party leadership, held in Jeju on August 8.
Candidate Kim Min-seok highlighted the need to end internal conflicts, stating, "If I become the party leader, I will make a definitive effort to bring all primary conflicts to a complete 'zero.' I will unite all capable forces, whether conservative, progressive, or centrist."
Kim criticized Jeong for abruptly announcing a merger with the Justice Party during his leadership, which ultimately fell through, calling it a "bombshell declaration that derailed discussions." He added that if elected, he would restart discussions on cooperation with the Justice Party, emphasizing that the process would be democratic and deliberative, aiming for the best outcomes for both the Democratic Party and the Justice Party.
In response, Jeong Cheong-rae directly challenged Kim's call for unity, referring to allegations made by Kim's camp regarding a supposed "three major secret alliances of anti-establishment, divisionism, and Shincheonji" as "brazen." He insisted that Kim should first apologize for these allegations before asking for unity, stating, "As party leader, I hope Kim Min-seok will prove through ethical scrutiny that Shincheonji has no connection to the Democratic Party."
Jeong dismissed claims from Kim's camp that his leadership would lead to President Lee Jae-myung's lame-duck period, labeling them as "false propaganda," "mud-slinging," and "nonsense." He also recalled the 2002 presidential election's "candidate unification council" incident, asserting, "It is I, Jeong Cheong-rae, who will uphold loyalty to the party and President Lee, not Kim Min-seok. I have come this far believing only in the party members, despite being beaten down 2 to 1, 3 to 1, or 4 to 1."
Candidate Song Young-gil also targeted Jeong, questioning how the party could win the upcoming general election while leaving the president feeling isolated amid recent controversies between the party and the government.
Regarding Jeong's recent tribute to former President Roh Moo-hyun, where he remarked, "Only after the flowers fall do we realize it is spring," Song responded, "We should not shed tears again, realizing it is spring only after Lee Jae-myung is gone." He also called for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, asserting that while judicial reform has been completed, he would be the one to finalize judicial reforms.
The Democratic Party will continue its joint campaign rally at the Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon later in the afternoon. Following the rally, results from the party member voting conducted from August 4 to 7 in Jeju and Incheon will be announced.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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