"Make the Decision to Replace the Party Leader": First Candidate Declares Bid for Party Convention

[Anchor] Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party's leadership race, calling for a decision to replace the current party leader to ensure the success of the state administration and victory in the general election. This comes just six days after his return to the party, and the pace of other prominent leadership contenders, such as former party leader Jung Chung-rae and Representative Song Young-gil, is also quickening. Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon has the story. [Reporter] Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited the May 18th National Cemetery this morning (July 6). Immediately afterward, he declared his candidacy for the Democratic Party leadership race at the Jeonil Building, which still bears bullet marks from helicopter fire by martial law troops during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. He cited the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and victory in the general election two years from now as his reasons for running. While acknowledging the efforts of the previous leadership from a comradely perspective, former Prime Minister Kim took aim at former leader Jung Chung-rae, stating that the harmful effects of self-serving politics have led to confusion in the party and in party-government cooperation. [Kim Min-seok/Former Prime Minister: As things stand, it is difficult to achieve state success, win the general election, or maintain party unity. (Various problems have emerged) in areas such as the pursuit of party mergers, discussions on prosecution reform, and nomination and election strategies.] The movements of his competitors for the party leadership are also accelerating. Former leader Jung Chung-rae, who has frequently visited the Honam region recently, visited the birthplace of former President Kim Dae-jung and the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun. He also posted a photo of a reunion of the "Nosamo" (people who love Roh Moo-hyun) on social media, highlighting himself as the right person to carry on the "roots and legitimacy of the Democratic Party." While emphasizing the phrase "success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and re-creation of the government," he also stated, "I will not engage in negative campaigning." This is interpreted as a response to former Prime Minister Kim's criticism of him during his own candidacy announcement. Representative Song Young-gil, who has openly criticized former leader Jung, is reportedly considering the timing of his own announcement for the party leadership race. Representative Song's side told SBS, "We plan to set a specific date for the candidacy announcement once the timing of former leader Jung's announcement is confirmed." The Democratic Party will accept registrations for party leader and supreme council member candidates for the August 17 party convention on July 16 and 17. (Video coverage: Oh Young-chun, Video editing: Jang Hyun-ki)
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