Song Young-gil Pushes Back Against Disciplinary Action While Criticizing Party's 'Personalization' Amid Leadership Bid

Song Young-gil, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has declared that the party becoming "controlled by a specific individual (personalization)" is unacceptable.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Song addressed efforts by some party figures to discipline him for alleged "detrimental acts." He explained that he had not publicly endorsed any specific candidate and that his remarks at the time questioned the party's intense focus on a challenging situation for its supporters in the North Jeolla region, which largely backs the DPK and President Lee Jae-myung.

Song criticized Lee Won-taek, the newly elected governor of North Jeolla Province, for calling for his disciplinary action, stating it is not the proper stance for a governor who should be working for the region's development. Song pointed out that the correct approach for an elected governor would be to seek assistance from himself, as the longest-serving DPK lawmaker and former party leader, to promote North Jeolla's progress.

He reaffirmed his intention to seek new strategies as he competes for party leadership.