Song Young-gil: 'Running for Incheon Gyeyang is a return to my original ground... The will of the people and party members is important'
Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil reaffirms his intention to run for the Incheon Gyeyang parliamentary by-election, emphasizing the importance of the public and party members' opinions in the decision-making process by the party leadership.
Former leader of the Democratic Party, Song Young-gil, has expressed his commitment to run for the Incheon Gyeyang parliamentary by-election following his reinstatement in the party. He stated that his candidacy reflects a return to his political roots and underlined the significance of the opinions of both the public and party members in determining the party's strategy. Amidst competing interests, such as former Blue House spokesperson Kim Nam-jun also announcing his candidacy, Song indicated that the party leadership must carefully consider various public opinions before making a final decision.
In an interview on YTN Radio, Song articulated that his return to the Gyeyang constituency is not merely a personal ambition but rather a necessity for supporting both the party and the government effectively. He mentioned that decisions regarding candidacies in specific districts shouldn't solely rest on individual preferences but should be guided by the will of voters and party members. This approach aligns with the core democratic principles of representation, emphasizing that the party leadership must balance its electoral strategies with the sentiments of the electorate.
Moreover, when queried about possible candidacy in the vacant Incheon Yeonsu-gap district, should Congressman Park Chan-dae decide to run for the mayor of Incheon, Song responded that such vacancies are not straightforward and hinted at the complexity of electoral dynamics in the region. He expressed skepticism about the potential alliance between the Democratic Party and the Justice for Chosun Party, asserting that the upcoming local elections should not be viewed purely through a political engineering lens but rather as a crucial battleground where the party must secure a decisive victory against the ruling party's continued dominance. Song's comments reflect broader concerns regarding the party's electoral strategy amid shifting political landscapes in South Korea.