Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, officially declaring his bid for the next leadership of the Democratic Party on Friday, directly targeted former party leader Jung Chung-rae, saying he had "thrown the party into confusion with self-serving politics." Jung avoided a direct response, saying he "will not run a negative campaign," but the pro-Jung faction engaged in a war of nerves, calling it "a candidacy declaration that only blames others."
Kim declared at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, on Friday, "I declare my candidacy for Democratic Party leader on the basis of an infinite sense of responsibility for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government's state affairs." He said, "Perfect unity between party and government and an integrated livelihood line are the only proven essential elements in a democratic government," adding, "I will carry on the spirit and history of Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung." In the afternoon, he came up to Seoul and read out his candidacy declaration once more at the National Assembly.
Kim had originally planned to hold his campaign launch at Gwangju military airport to respond to the government's promotion of its "three mega projects," but changed the venue to Jeonil Building, which carries the symbolism of the May 18 Democratization Movement, in consideration of weather conditions. Ahead of his candidacy declaration, Kim actively appealed to his support base in the Honam region, including by paying respects at the May 18th National Cemetery.
In his candidacy declaration, Kim opened the full-fledged leadership race by directly taking aim at Jung. He targeted the Jung Chung-rae leadership, saying, "Over the past year, the Democratic Party failed to connect support for President Lee and the government to party support and election results." He then pointed out, "Over the past year, the harm of 'self-serving politics' threw the party into confusion," adding, "At this rate, the success of state affairs, victory in the general election, and party unity will all be difficult." Meeting reporters in Seoul, Kim said, "I did not make a single negative remark," calling his statements "a debate for the healthy direction of the party."
Jung avoided a direct response on his Facebook, saying he "will not run a negative campaign." He said, "If we unite, we win," adding, "I will use only the language of unity and the language of comrades." That day, Jung sought to rally the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) and pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) factions by releasing a photo of himself meeting with members of Nosamo (the Association of People Who Love Roh Moo-hyun). The previous day, he had paid respects at the tomb of former President Roh.
Despite Jung's remarks, the pro-Jung faction could not hide its displeasure toward Kim. Rep. Lee Sung-yun wrote on his Facebook, "It is truly disappointing," pointing out, "Isn't blaming others precisely Kim's own self-serving politics?" Rep. Han Min-soo criticized the remarks as "anachronistic and out-of-body statements."
Meanwhile, Rep. Song Young-gil, another leadership contender, is set to officially declare his candidacy on Sunday. Meeting reporters at the National Assembly that day, Song said the message he would include in his candidacy declaration would be "Only the 2030 generation. Without the 2030 generation, there is no presidential election."
