As the first touring primary to elect the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea was held in the Chungcheong region on the 1st, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok took direct aim at former leader Jung Chung-rae, saying, "The overtime of the Myeong-Cheong (President Lee Jae-myung and former leader Jung Chung-rae) showdown is the Democratic Party's hell," and, "We must close that gate of hell."
That morning in Gongju, South Chungcheong, at a joint speech session of the Democratic Party's 3rd National Party Members' Convention, the former prime minister said, "At the historic turning point of an irreplaceable Republic of Korea that President Lee Jae-myung speaks of, the party and government are creaking, so elections are shaken and the stock market is shaken," adding the above.
He added, "If it shakes more, even the entrance to the golden age will shake," stressing, "That is why we are desperate today." Kim also appealed for support, saying, "Create a truly pro-Myeong leadership that works hand in glove with the party leader and with the president," and, "Who will be the most reliable? Who will provide the greatest reassurance?"
He then proposed live broadcasts of in-party business reports and a plan for full primary nominations for the 2028 general election as party reform measures. Kim said, "From the General Affairs Bureau to the Organization Bureau, we will disclose everything about the party's finances and operations, policies and organization, and we will broadcast live the party's business reports before the public and party members," adding, "Not only the government should be on edge; the ruling party, like the government, like a government led by the president, will be transformed into a party that stays alert and gets things done."
In addition, Kim said, "We will root out the 'old-fashioned' culture and hold primaries without exception, whether for the party leader or supreme council members," and, "We will vigorously revive city and provincial party chapters and open an era of true party member sovereignty that deliberates and debates."
Meanwhile, candidates for the Democratic Party's party leader and supreme council are scheduled to continue joint speech sessions in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, and Daejeon that day, then announce the Chungcheong region rights-holding party members' vote results at about 7 p.m.