The Democratic Party of Korea has launched its nomination process with approximately 90 days remaining until the June 3 local elections. Party Chairman Chung Chung-rae officially declared he will not exercise his strategic nomination powers. The move is interpreted as a strategic effort to prevent factional conflicts and parachute appointment controversies while securing an overwhelming electoral victory.
"The June 3 local elections are being held at a decisive turning point that will underpin the success of the Lee Jae-myung government," Chung said at a joint meeting of central and regional nomination committee chairs held at the National Assembly main building on the 4th. "This is an election we must win to create a springboard for growth."
He added, "Only by winning overwhelmingly can we hold the insurrection-sympathizing forces accountable and ensure they can never again dream of an emergency martial law insurrection."
"The most democratic nomination process produces the most competitive candidates," Chung said. "I do not intend to exercise the strategic nomination powers guaranteed to the party chairman under party rules and regulations."
His remarks signaled his commitment to actively utilizing bottom-up primaries that reflect the will of party members and citizens in selecting candidates for the upcoming elections.
Chung reemphasized the so-called "Four Nos" as the guiding principles for this nomination cycle: no unjust eliminations, no morally unfit candidates, no parachute appointments, and clean nominations that tolerate no corruption. The Democratic Party has activated an "Undercover Inspector Monitoring Team" and a "Nomination Reporting Hotline" to enforce these principles.
"We will decisively sever the chain this time so that corrupt nominations cannot take root," Chung emphasized.
The Democratic Party plans to complete all candidate nominations by the 20th of next month. The aim is to allow candidates to enter the campaign field and begin activities as early as possible. On this day, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae was selected as the sole candidate for Incheon Mayor.