Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 31st, regarding nominations for the local elections, said, "Why cut off a person who received a suitability judgment from the party and was granted the status of preliminary candidate?" and added, "Each city and provincial party nomination management committee must pay special attention so there are no unfair cutoffs."
Jung said at a joint meeting of chairs of the Democratic Party of Korea city and provincial party proportional representative candidate recommendation management committees held at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day, "After filtering out those who are unqualified, if a preliminary candidate has been deemed suitable, their competitiveness can be verified through a primary," adding, "Whether there are three or four people, the primary expense is the same, so it is hard to accept the reason for insisting on a cutoff."
Regarding the composition of the nomination committee, Jung also said, "All incumbent lawmakers and district chairs have been excluded," explaining, "Because interests and ties are entangled within regions, this policy is intended to minimize situations where they would have to make painful decisions themselves and to allow outside figures to conduct the nomination review more objectively."
Jung emphasized, "Except for some areas, incumbent lawmakers or district chairs will not participate in the nomination committee," adding, "This approach is effectively the first time." He continued, "As this reflects the party leader's commitment to the fairest and most democratic nominations, I ask nomination committee members to take responsibility and fully carry out their roles."
That day, Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, noted his visit to Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province last week and said he would continue intensive on-site activities. Jung explained, "Over the weekend, I visited the Yeongdeok snow crab festival to meet residents, personally took part in herring fishing, observed an auction site, and at 5 a.m. held a policy meeting with fishermen."
In addition, Jung said, "I instructed the working-level staff to schedule engagements as early as 5 a.m. going forward," emphasizing, "I will visit early-morning markets myself and crisscross in all directions, east, west, south, and north. I am determined to do everything a human can do."