Rival candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party concentrated on winning over the party's base today in the "Jungwon" region, the first stop of the regional primaries for the August 17 national convention.

As the "bandwagon" effect—where momentum builds behind the front-runner—begins from the very first primary results, leadership candidates Kim Min-seok, Jeong Cheong-rae, and Song Young-gil are putting everything on the line to secure votes in the Chungcheong region.

The Democratic Party will hold voting for delegates and registered party members in South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, Daejeon, and Sejong starting tomorrow (the 28th), and announce the results on the first of next month.

Candidate Kim held a press conference at Sejong City Hall today, stating, "The direction desired by the nation and the people is livelihood-focused, pragmatic, and expansive," and adding, "I am grateful for the overwhelming support sent by the Democratic Party's base so far."

He also mentioned the issue of abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights, saying, "Although it was a bit delayed, it is very fortunate that it was wrapped up well, and I expect the bill to be processed before the launch of the new leadership."

Candidate Kim is scheduled to hold a party member meeting at the Cheongju Urban Regeneration Hub Center today, followed by a meeting with North Chungcheong Governor Shin Yong-han.

Following a party member meeting in Daejeon yesterday, Candidate Jeong will hold a party member meeting in North Chungcheong this afternoon.

Candidate Jeong posted on Facebook yesterday, saying, "Do not doubt," and "1.6 million registered party members beat 160 lawmakers. Party members have the weapon of one vote per person."

This is interpreted as a strategy to appeal to the party base, as this national convention marks the first time the "one vote per person system for delegates and registered party members" is being applied.

According to the electoral roll finalized by the Democratic Party today, there are 17,667 delegates and 1,527,261 registered party members.

Candidate Jeong wrote on Facebook, "Why shake the one-vote-per-person system?", and also shared a YouTube video of former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun.

In the interview video, the former minister mentioned that candidates with a low chance of winning are the ones opposing the one-vote-per-person system.

Candidate Song held a press conference at the South Chungcheong Provincial Government building, launching a direct attack on Candidate Jeong by stating, "Even though the President has clearly stated several times, directly or indirectly, that there is a difference in perception between him and Candidate Jeong, they claim that the 'Myung-Chung conflict' is a fiction created by the media."

Candidate Song argued, "There is no chance Candidate Jeong will become party leader, but if he does, the President will fall into a lame-duck status and the conflict between the party and the presidential office will intensify."

Candidate Song is scheduled to hold town hall meetings targeting party members in South Chungcheong and Sejong this afternoon.

Within the party, clashes have continued between pro-Myung (pro-Lee Jae-myung) non-leadership faction members and pro-Chung (pro-Jeong Cheong-rae) Supreme Council member candidates over the "Shincheonji suspicions."

Previously, Candidate Kim raised suspicions regarding Shincheonji's political intervention.

Subsequently, analyses emerged within the party targeting Candidate Jeong, and Candidate Jeong stated that he has no ties to Shincheonji and will respond strongly to the spread of false information.

Pro-Myung Supreme Council candidate Park Sun-won said on CBS Radio, "Looking at current reports, there was an attempt during last year's Democratic Party presidential primary to support an anti-Myung candidate," adding, "Since this [Shincheonji suspicion] must not swallow up the issues of the national convention, I proposed forming an investigation body within the party after the convention."

Candidate Lim Mi-ae emphasized on BBS Radio, "I do not think Shincheonji joined only the People Power Party as registered members," and "Candidate Kim gave an early warning about the impact of them joining the party in an organized manner."

On the other hand, pro-Chung candidate Choe Min-hee pointed out on YTN Radio, targeting Candidate Kim who raised the Shincheonji suspicions, "You must [raise suspicions] with solid grounds and be cautious. It could put the party in danger."

Candidate Lee Sung-yoon pressured on Facebook, saying, "Present the grounds for Shincheonji's intervention," and "If you cannot present them, you could put our party in grave danger. Apologize and step down even now."

Pro-Myung and pro-Chung leadership figures also joined the battle over the Shincheonji suspicions.

Regarding pro-Chung Supreme Council member Park Gyu-hwan's statement that if Candidate Kim fails to present grounds for the Shincheonji suspicions, he should be stripped of his candidate status and filed a complaint against, pro-Myung Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu countered at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly today, saying, "If it is true that a specific religion intervened, that is election fraud; how is raising suspicions election fraud and anti-party activity?"

In response, pro-Chung Supreme Council member Moon Jung-bok argued, "It is flowing into a situation where party members are branded as Shincheonji followers and the stigma is cast that Shincheonji systematically intervened in party affairs," adding, "The candidate who raised the issue should naturally announce the grounds, and the party must investigate accurately."

Chief Senior Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun met with reporters at the National Assembly regarding the Shincheonji suspicions and stated, "It has not been discussed at the Supreme Council level," and "While I am not aware of any related tips yet, we are closely monitoring the investigation situation of the joint investigation headquarters."

(Photo: Yonhap News)