Former Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Park Chan-dae will officially declare his candidacy for party leader on the 23rd.
Park's office announced through a media notice on the 21st that "the candidacy declaration will take place at 11 a.m. on the 23rd at the Yeoido central party headquarters in the member zone."
On that day, Park said through Facebook, "Our Democratic Party is strongest when we are united," and requested, "Please cease internal attacks or criticisms."
Park stated, "Like the strong 'One Team' Democratic Party that created the Lee Jae-myung government, we must become even stronger and more cohesive to reliably support the success of the Lee Jae-myung government."
He remarked, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" is my life's motto and the essence of politics, and he added, "Let’s move forward as the ruling party, the Democratic Party, which only hopes for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government as a stable One Team."
The Democratic Party will hold a national member conference (party convention) on Aug. 2 to elect a successor to President Lee Jae-myung as party leader. Delegate voting will account for 15%, party member voting 55%, and public opinion polls 30%.
Earlier, on the 15th, four-term lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae was the first to announce his candidacy for party leader. At the candidacy declaration press conference, he stated, "Lee Jae-myung is Jeong Cheong-rae, and Jeong Cheong-rae is Lee Jae-myung," adding, "I will handle the fight, so President Lee Jae-myung can just do his job."