Calls mount in South Jeolla Province, Gwangju for Rep. Song Young-gil to run for Democratic Party leader

Supporters plan to tour cities and counties across the province through July 3

With the Democratic Party of Korea's leadership election approaching, calls from rank-and-file party members in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju for Rep. Song Young-gil to enter the race are growing louder.

According to a supporters' group of party members, a relay campaign urging Song to run for party leader kicked off Monday morning in front of Gwangyang City Hall and has been moving from city to city at hourly intervals — reaching Yeosu at 11 a.m., Suncheon at noon, Goheung at 1 p.m., Boseong at 2 p.m. and Jangheung at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., with rallies held in front of each municipal office.

The relay continues Tuesday in Gokseong, Gurye, Jangseong, Damyang, Yeonggwang, Hampyeong and Yeongam, and moves on Thursday to Mokpo, Sinan, Muan, Haenam, Jindo and Wando.

On the final day, Friday, the campaign will pass through Naju before concluding in Hwasun, wrapping up the South Jeolla leg of the relay. Participants will then move to Gwangju for a large rally at the plaza in front of the former South Jeolla Provincial Office at 2 p.m.

A representative of the group — formally called the "Supporters' Group of Party Members Urging Song Young-gil to Run for Party Leader" — said members in Gwangju and South Jeolla are backing Song because they believe he is the best leader to support the success of the Lee Jae Myung government and deliver a Democratic Party victory in the next general election.

The group also said Song had stood up directly against political persecution by prosecutors under the Yoon Suk Yeol government and won a not-guilty ruling, and that when Yoon declared illegal emergency martial law, Song went to the National Assembly at personal risk to argue against the illegitimacy of the martial law, demonstrating the courage of a true political leader.

The supporters further urged Song — a former mayor of Incheon and a six-term lawmaker — to enter the race, describing him as a politician who authentically carries on the legacies of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.