Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Gyeyang and Yeonsu areas in Incheon right after the strategic nominations and vowed to win the by-elections. However, an image also unfolded of former leader Song Young-gil, nominated for Yeonsu A, leaving during the supreme council meeting.
The Democratic Party of Korea on the 23rd strategically nominated former leader Song Young-gil for Incheon Yeonsu A and former Blue House Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon for Gyeyang B in the by-elections held alongside the June 3 local elections. On the 24th, the day after the nomination announcement, leader Jung immediately set out for on-site activities in Incheon.
At dawn that day, leader Jung visited the Gyulhyeon rail yard in Incheon's Gyeyang District to experience firsthand the cleaning of subway cars. After putting on work clothes and helmets, Jung and the candidates entered the cars to wipe the floors with rags and took part in removing dust from handrails and vents. Former Spokesperson Kim and Incheon mayoral candidate Park Chan-dae joined the visit, while former leader Song did not participate.
Jung then visited the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) Incheon LNG terminal to check supply and demand conditions, and held an on-site supreme council meeting in Yeonsu District. There, reiterating the by-election nominees announced the previous day, Jung expressed a determination to mount an all-out response to secure victory in the Incheon area.
Regarding former Spokesperson Kim, Jung said, "I have seen several times the sight of him quietly following behind President Lee Jae-myung with a backpack," and evaluated him as "a person of few words but quick to act and decisive." Jung added, "How could we say the contribution of former Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon is small in making possible today's President Lee Jae-myung?"
About former leader Song, Jung said, "He is a political leader of Korea who needs no explanation and a symbolic figure of the Democratic Party," adding, "In Incheon Yeonsu, the only sure winning card is Song Young-gil." Jung went on, "The more difficult the district, the greater the role a leader should take on."
However, since former leader Song is known to have hoped to run in Gyeyang B, his expression remained dark throughout except when he spoke. He said, "I thank leader Jung Chung-rae and the leadership who carried out the nominations," and added, "I will do my best in accordance with the party's orders." But unlike former Spokesperson Kim, who completed his schedule from dawn through the supreme council meeting, Song left in the middle of the meeting as soon as Supreme Council member Lee Un-ju finished her remarks.
A Democratic Party official said, "As he is known to have strongly wanted to run in Gyeyang B himself, his expression likely was not entirely bright after receiving the result of the strategic nomination," adding, "While he showed acceptance as it was the party's decision, I understand he felt no small amount of regret internally."