At 4:30 p.m. on the 27th, the Open Hall at Korea National Open University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was bustling. It was 30 minutes before the publication party for former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, whose reinstatement to the Democratic Party of Korea was decided that day, was set to begin. The signing event for Song, which started two hours before the publication party, drew so many people that the waiting line at times stretched beyond 20 meters. Starting that day, publication parties will follow on the 28th in Daegu and on the 3rd of next month in Incheon Gyeyang.
Because it was the day Song's reinstatement to the Democratic Party of Korea was decided, sitting lawmakers kept coming by. More than 20 ruling party lawmakers, including floor leader Han Byung-do, as well as Choo Mi-ae, Park Hong-keun, Kim Seung-won, Park Sung-joon, Kim Tae-nyeon, Kim Young-jin and Moon Jin-seok, visited Song in person to offer congratulations. Senior adviser Kwon No-gap of the Democratic Party of Korea attended the publication party and praised, "Song Young-gil is the second Kim Dae-jung."
Song said, "Today (the 27th) I was reinstated to the Democratic Party of Korea after three years. Once you leave, it's hard to come back," adding, "In the Lee Jae-myung era, I will work to build a Democratic Party that breaks down the wall of division and makes it possible for our peninsula to be connected to the continent."
◇Talk grows about a run in Incheon Gyeyang B… the decision rests with Jung Chung-rae
With Song's reinstatement, interest also grew over whether he will run in Incheon Gyeyang B. If Song wins the June 3 by-election, he will become the party's most seasoned lawmaker with "six terms." Also, given that he gave up his own district in 2022 after Lee Jae-myung lost the presidential election to run for Seoul mayor, he is highly likely to serve as a rallying point within the pro-Lee faction.
However, the final say on Song's candidacy lies with leader Jung Chung-rae. The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to make all nominations for this by-election through strategic appointments. While strategic appointments are handled by the Strategic Nomination Management Committee chaired by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Hwang Hee, the will of the party leadership ultimately prevails, giving Jung significant influence.
It is also noteworthy that Kim Nam-joon, a former presidential office spokesperson close to the president, has thrown his hat in the ring for Incheon Gyeyang B. Considering that Kim is part of the so-called "Seongnam line" and is a "political newcomer" making a first bid for a seat, there is ample rationale for not nominating Song. Tension between Song and former spokesperson Kim is expected to rise until the party leadership's "traffic control" over Incheon Gyeyang B is settled.
◇The crux is the next party leadership… rising talk of a "Song Young-gil check"
The key viewing point regarding Song's reinstatement is the "next party leadership." If it becomes difficult for Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, considered a contender for the next party leadership, to run, assessments continue that Song could be an alternative. That is why Song is seen as a potential rival to leader Jung for party leadership.
Within the party, there is steady talk of a so-called "Song Young-gil check," that leader Jung may not hand Incheon Gyeyang B to Song, who is at the level of a next party leadership contender. Jung is seeking another term at the party convention in August, where the party leadership will be elected. The issue of Jung's bid for another term also underlies the intra-party conflicts that have arisen between Jung and the pro-Lee faction.
There is also speculation that a new intra-party conflict could be sparked over the nomination for Incheon Gyeyang B for Song. A Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker from the greater Seoul area said, "It is something leader Jung could say to Song: 'If you are a former party leader, please run in Pyeongtaek, which is a strategic district.'" Another Democratic Party of Korea official also said, "There are already claims that Song should be given Gyeyang B, and if that doesn't happen, won't conflict arise?"