The Democratic Party of Korea on the 2nd will hold a bus tour primary in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang for the Aug. 17 national convention to elect the next leadership. After Kim Min-seok eked out a narrow victory over Jung Chung-rae in the Chungcheong primary the previous day, Kim is seeking back-to-back wins while Jung is aiming for a turnaround. Song Young-gil appealed to party sentiment, highlighting his credit for the Ulsan mayoral election victory.
The Democratic Party will hold joint stump speeches for the bus tour primaries in Ulsan in the morning, followed by Busan and South Gyeongsang. The convention will be decided by 70% delegates and dues-paying party members and 30% public opinion polling.
Kim led Jung with a vote share of 45.05% to 44.61% in party-member voting in the Chungcheong primary covering South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, Daejeon and Sejong the previous day. Song Young-gil's vote share was 10.34%. Having seized the initiative in Jung's home base of Chungcheong, Kim's camp is buoyant.
Kim wrote on Facebook that day, "It was the first day that deepened my thoughts. The lesson from the first win in Chungcheong, where each and every party member's sentiment beat the organization, is the 'three sils,'" adding, "Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who cared for me, sternly scolded me, and opened the difficult path for my return, emphasized the 'three sils of elections': sincerity, urgency and truth."
Jung is looking for a turnaround in the Yeongnam region. After the joint stump speeches the previous day, Jung wrote on Facebook, "I am deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support. Organization cannot beat the wind. In the end, party members win," adding, "I have come this far trusting only public sentiment and party sentiment. Party members, please protect me. I believe in the power of one person, one vote."
Song stressed that he had a hand in Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook's victory. Song wrote on Facebook that day, "I was the chair of Kim Sang-wook's fundraising committee. Even while running my own election in Yeonsu A in the by-election, I rushed to Ulsan," adding, "The person who ran first for Ulsan, the person who put solidarity ahead of their own race, the person who will be responsible to the end for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration. I, Song Young-gil, will take responsibility."