Candidates for the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary launched an attack on the party's stronghold in Honam during a joint speech held in the Honam region (Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, North Jeolla Province) on the 26th.
Candidate Lee Jae-myung urged, "This time, let Honam choose Lee Jae-myung and create the fourth democratic government." Candidate Kim Kyeong-soo emphasized being 'the son-in-law of Honam' and stated, "We cannot tolerate a second Chun Doo-hwan," and "We must completely end the insurrection through thorough punishment." Candidate Kim Dong-yeon referred to his experience working in the Blue House under the late former President Kim Dae-jung and urged, "Please place me at the forefront of the economic crisis."
The Democratic Party held a joint speech for selecting candidates at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju at 3 p.m. that day.
All three candidates emphasized the choice of Honam, the Democratic Party's stronghold, and mentioned former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in.
As Candidate Lee Jae-myung appeared holding a cheering stick, the majority of Democratic Party supporters who visited the joint speech site cheered and chanted his name.
Candidate Lee stated, "It was Honam that presented the true path for Korea to become a genuine democratic republic at every turn of our turbulent history," and added, "It was because Honam nurtured Kim Dae-jung that a peaceful change of power and overcoming the IMF national disaster were possible."
He continued, "Because Honam chose Roh Moo-hyun, a world without unfairness or privilege was opened, and because Moon Jae-in was chosen by Honam, we inherited the candlelight revolution and moved toward a new horizon of peace on the Korean Peninsula," and asked, "This time, would Honam choose Lee Jae-myung to create the fourth democratic government?"
He proposed as a pledge to make Gwangju and South Jeolla and North Jeolla provinces centers of artificial intelligence (AI) cities and renewable energy. He stated, "Gwangju, the light city, will firmly establish itself as an AI-centered city leading the competition in artificial intelligence," and "South Jeolla and North Jeolla will become centers of renewable energy where renewable energy production areas and RE100 industrial complexes are harmonized through an energy expressway."
Emphasizing 'the son-in-law of Honam,' Candidate Kim Kyeong-soo began his speech by stating, "Despite the pain of the Gwangju massacre on May 18, President Kim Dae-jung and the people of Honam wished for forgiveness, reconciliation, and national unity, but the Chun Doo-hwan insurrection forces ultimately neither revealed the truth nor offered an apology."
He continued, "A second Chun Doo-hwan can never be tolerated. Through thorough punishment, we must ensure that no one can even think of insurrection again," emphasizing, "I will completely end the insurrection with an overwhelming change of government."
Candidate Kim Kyeong-soo presented as pledges the 'five mega-cities by region' and the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju uprising in the preamble of the Constitution. He stated, "Now we must change the national operation system. The fate of regions must be determined by the regions themselves," and added, "We must evenly develop the entire country by dividing it into five regions."
He stated, "I, Kim Kyeong-soo, will support more than 30 trillion won in autonomous budgets to the five mega-city autonomous governments."
Candidate Kim Dong-yeon entered wearing a red jacket of the Haitai Tigers and holding a baseball bat. Candidate Kim stated, "I stood here to become a 'dignified economic president' through the choice of Honam," and added, "I, Kim Dong-yeon, built experiences and insights on the shoulders of that giant, serving President Kim Dae-jung in the Blue House."
He added, "Dear comrades of Honam, please place me, Kim Dong-yeon, at the forefront of the economic crisis."
Candidate Kim Dong-yeon proposed commitments for the Honam region, including a renewable energy belt connecting South Jeolla and North Jeolla provinces and Gwangju, a city of AI and future mobility, and Jeonbuk developing into Korea's eco-capital, and a cluster for secondary batteries and advanced materials in South Jeolla.
He also suggested that the Democratic Party should recreate democracy from within, stating, "From this moment, let's break away from the language of division and exclusion, whether it's 'pro-Myeong' or 'anti-Myeong' or 'watermelon.'"
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party will hold a final joint speech in Ilsan, Goyang, at KINTEX on the 27th, covering Gangwon, the metropolitan area, and Jeju, and conclude the circuit primary schedule. The presidential candidate is expected to be selected that day.