Song Young-gil says Democratic Party 'cannot tolerate' becoming one man's private club

By Yang Geun-hyuk, The Herald Business

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Song Young-gil leveled sharp criticism at former party leader Jung Chung-rae, who is competing for the party's top post, saying the Democratic Party becoming one person's private organization "can never be tolerated."

Song made the remarks Sunday at a town hall meeting with rank-and-file Democratic Party members in Jeonju, held at the Kolon Sky Tower. "Because we have lived through the pain of Roh Moo-hyun, we must never again let our president be brought down by internal division," he said. "Let us join forces to protect that and win back power."

"There is so much to do to work hand in hand with the president, yet our Democratic Party is playing on too small a field," Song said. "Anyone who is not a close ally of former leader Jung Chung-rae is essentially shut out of party affairs, and the supreme council operates as a closed circle."

Song also said all 160-plus Assembly members needed to be put to work, warning that "playing on a small field means no creative plays — and you lose." He then criticized Jung directly, asking what kind of party leader appoints 1,000 special personal advisers on the eve of local elections.

"If it were a presidential election, one could understand it as putting the party before self," Song added. "But every single person appointed as a special adviser was someone planning to run for city council, district council, or a local government post. What is that? Is that not a completely unfair primary?"

Song invoked former President Moon Jae-in's inaugural pledge — "opportunity will be equal, the process will be fair, and the outcome will be just" — and asked whether the Democratic Party truly lived up to those words.

"The people come first, not the party," he said. "The Democratic Party exists for the Republic of Korea and its people." He acknowledged that party members being the owners of the party had some merit, but warned that "the party's owners must not become disconnected from the public."

Song said the party must always communicate with the public and put the nation and its people first. "The purpose of a political party is to win power," he said. "But what happens if you huddle together among yourselves without the support of the people and fall apart?"