The Democratic Party of Korea held a supreme council meeting in Daegu on the 8th and threw its support behind former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who was confirmed as the party's Daegu mayoral candidate. Party leader Jung Chung-rae called Kim "the only sure-win card to take Daegu" and promised full support.
The Democratic Party held its first supreme council meeting in about 40 days in Daegu on the morning of the 8th, renewing its push to win over public sentiment there. Jung said, "At Daegu's early-morning market today, I pulled a handcart with citizens and helped unload cabbages," adding, "I could feel with my whole body that the way people look at our Democratic Party has grown warmer than before."
Regarding candidate Kim, who attended the meeting, Jung said, "It's hard to find someone who has this level of gravitas, administrative experience, steadiness, capability, and human touch to turn back Daegu's lost time," adding, "I think he is the only sure-win card to win the Daegu race."
Jung also praised Kim, saying he "resembles Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Jae-myung," and added, "I believe he is the best fit to sublimate the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit' into the 'Lee Jae-myung spirit' and double Daegu's value."
Jung referred to long-pending projects discussed at an October town hall in Daegu, including the Daegu New Airport and drinking water source issues, saying, "That resolve will be confirmed in the budget going forward." He continued, "This year Daegu's budget surpassed 9 trillion won for the first time," adding, "The Democratic Party has also launched a special committee to identify and foster talent in Yeongnam."
Jung added, "Because the People Power Party has been floundering, Daegu–North Gyeongsang integration has stalled," and said, "Together with candidate Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party will join forces to make Daegu–North Gyeongsang integration a reality."
Taking the microphone, candidate Kim said, "Many citizens of Daegu tell me to open a path for Daegu to come back to life," adding, "I feel a truly heavy sense of responsibility."
He continued, "When Jung Chung-rae urged me to run, the words, 'Daegu is having a hard time and our comrades are here—how can you, as a senior, step back alone?' always weighed on my heart," and added, "I hope Leader Jung and the Democratic Party leadership can truly feel how earnest the citizens of Daegu are right now."
Kim stressed that support from the government and the National Assembly is essential to revive Daegu. "Daegu has been at a standstill for a long time and needs priming water," he said. "We must persuade the National Assembly and the government to secure budget and policy support, use that to innovate and foster industry to create jobs, and breathe new energy of innovation into universities."