Democratic Party leadership hopefuls court Honam votes with Kim Dae-jung ties

Candidates vying for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party are making a strong play for the crucial Honam region, a stronghold of party support. In their third televised debate on August 10, 2026, contenders Song Young-gil, Chung Sye-kyun, and Kim Min-seok each emphasized their connections to the late former President Kim Dae-jung, a revered figure in Honam, or highlighted their own Honam heritage.

Song Young-gil, emphasizing his roots as "Song Young-gil from Goheung, South Jeolla Province," presented himself as the candidate best equipped to advance regional development. He pointed to ongoing projects, including a 20 trillion won support package and an 800 trillion won investment project for the integrated Gwangju-South Jeolla Province, arguing that the party leader's influence would determine the success of these initiatives. Drawing on his experience as Incheon mayor, he pledged to build a foundation for future industries in the region.

Chung Sye-kyun invoked the historical significance of Honam, stating, "If there was no Honam, there would be no country." He recalled the region's support for past presidents and its role in the "revolution of light" that led to the current administration. Chung envisioned Honam becoming an industrial hub with a semiconductor cluster, vowing to strengthen the Democratic Party and secure re-election based on Kim Dae-jung's "spirit of integration."

Kim Min-seok positioned himself as a close political associate of President Lee Jae-myung, emphasizing his contributions to the president's "mega-projects" for Honam, including the semiconductor cluster. He declared himself a "direct political descendant" of Kim Dae-jung, noting his honorary citizen status in Gwangju for advocating for the truth of the Gwangju Uprising, his maternal ties to Jindo, his current residency in Iksan, and his potential role as the first prime minister in the Lee Jae-myung administration. Kim pledged to take responsibility for the future of Gwangju, South and North Jeolla, national success, and the party's victory in the next general election.