With the Democratic Party of Korea's party convention coming in Aug., lawmaker Song Young-gil, mentioned as a contender for the next party leadership, on the 21st addressed the possibility that leader Jung Chung-rae may seek another term, saying, "If the party collapses, that leads to a presidential lame duck." Appearing on KBC Gwangju Broadcasting that day, Song said, "The president has gone this far in his remarks, but if the Jung Chung-rae leadership denies this and runs saying it will fight the president, it will completely lose its governing momentum."
Song said, "If Leader Jung runs, the likelihood that I will run becomes much higher," adding, "What the ruling party leader is saying now is to confront the president." He also said, "The president has gone this far in his remarks, but if the Jung Chung-rae leadership denies this and runs saying it will fight the president head-on, if this is not resolved, what will happen to the ruling party?"
On whether he will run in the party convention, he said, "In Gwangju and South Jeolla, especially in North Jeolla, I want to see whether the public sentiment in Honam gives Song Young-gil a calling," adding, "The trend in polling is starting to show little by little, and I am currently coming out first among the three candidates in Gwangju."
He said, "Everyone has the right to run," but added, "In a situation like now, is it desirable for Party Leader Jung Chung-rae to run again?" He then said, "If Leader Jung runs, the likelihood that I will run becomes much higher."
Song earlier said he was concerned that a confrontational frame with President Lee Jae-myung had formed after Leader Jung made remarks to the effect that "the people are eternal and administrations are short" and "party operations are run by party members." He added, "If opinions differ, we should advise and coordinate, but fundamentally, the ruling party is one body with the government and is a group that takes responsibility for state affairs," saying, "I am very worried because things are veering too far off course now."
On why Leader Jung made remarks with such major political repercussions, he said, "It means he wants to do his own politics," adding, "If one puts the interests of one's own aides and faction ahead of the whole, the party's energy is drained."
The Aug. 17 party convention is likely to shape up as a three-way race among Leader Jung, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and Song. Coming amid the growing controversy over the "Myeong-cheong conflict" surrounding the relationship between President Lee and Leader Jung, it will be held as internal assessments of the June 3 local elections diverge and calls for accountability emerge. With whether Leader Jung wins another term emerging as the key variable, the convention's outcome could be a turning point for future relations between the Blue House and the party and for a realignment of power within the ruling bloc.