Members of the Democratic Party of Korea, Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, who are contenders for the party’s leadership, began targeting voter sentiment in the Honam region, an area that is key to the party’s core support base. The new party leader, who will be elected at the party convention on the 2nd of next month, will symbolize the first ruling party leader since the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung's administration. In this election, which will influence the direction of internal reforms, the restructuring of party-government relations, and the upcoming nomination framework, the two candidates are focusing their efforts on the 'decisive battleground' by appealing to the sentiments of Honam residents.
During the last presidential election period, Congressman Jeong laid the groundwork for his local base with a 'one month living in Honam' campaign, and recently he has been actively engaging in organizational efforts by holding a workshop for the women's committee and a meeting with party members in succession.
On the 6th at 9 a.m., Congressman Jeong started the workshop for the women's committee held at the Im Kwon-taek Cinematheque in Jangseong County, Jeollanam-do, followed by meetings with party members from Yeonggwang, Jangseong, Damyang, and Hampyeong (at the Hwangnyeong Cultural Center), and he is working to consolidate the organization with various events, including a book concert at the Gwangju Kim Dae-jung Convention Center. The day before, he met with party members in the Yeongnam region, visiting Changwon, Jinju, Tongyeong, and Geoje.
He emphasizes that he is the right person to support President Lee Jae-myung's national policy agenda while completing unfinished reform tasks such as 'judicial reform' and 'media reform.' In particular, he is noted for building a solid organizational structure centered around the local bases in the metropolitan area and Honam, as well as among delegates and eligible party members.
In response, Congressman Park has declared a 'one-week living in Honam' project, embarking on close outreach activities to boost his support rate. On the afternoon of that day, he participated in a talk concert for the eastern Jeollanam-do region at the Yeosu Citizens Hall, and since the 5th, he has been staying in the Honam region for a week, combining lodging at community centers. On the 7th, he plans to hold a press conference in Gwangju and discuss local wish projects with the Jeollabuk-do governor on the 8th, followed by visits to offshore wind power and public medical infrastructure sites in Jeollanam-do on the 9th.
Congressman Park emphasized a practical leadership style capable of addressing both 'livelihood economy and reform.' As a former accountant, he stated, "The leader of the ruling party must consider not only reform but also the economy," adding that he is "a prepared candidate who can realize both the livelihood economy and reform simultaneously."
In the midst of a two-horse race, polling results are showing a close contest. According to a preference survey for the Democratic Party's leader conducted by Hankook Gallup from July 1 to 3, with 1,001 adults nationwide, Congressman Jeong received 32%, while Congressman Park recorded 28%. Among only the party's supporters, Congressman Jeong led with 47%, surpassing Congressman Park (38%) outside the margin of error. (For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Commission website.)
Meanwhile, the party convention to elect the next party leader will be held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 2nd of next month. The party leadership election will be determined by combining the voting rates of delegates (15%), eligible party members (55%), and the general public (30%). Regional joint speeches will take place in the order of Chungcheong, Yeongnam, Honam, and the metropolitan area before the convention.