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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party leadership race heats up with regional conventions

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Candidates in the Democratic Party's leadership race are fiercely debating the party's direction and relationship with President Lee Jae-myung.
  • Frontrunner Chung Jin-suk is criticized by rivals Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil for his past leadership and perceived self-serving politics.
  • The party is holding a series of regional conventions to select its new leader ahead of the August 17 national convention.

The Democratic Party's national convention tour has kicked off in Chungcheong, South Korea, marked by intense debates among leadership candidates over the party's future and its alignment with President Lee Jae-myung. The race has largely coalesced into a contest between incumbent leader Chung Jin-suk and challengers Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil.

The extension of the Lee-Chung (Lee Jae-myung-Chung Jin-suk) battle is the Democratic Party's hell, and we must close that hell's door. Please create a truly pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) leadership that works in sync with the president.

— Kim Min-seokDemocratic Party leadership candidate, criticizing the current leadership and advocating for stronger alignment with President Lee Jae-myung.

Kim Min-seok framed the election as a choice between continuing the current path, which he described as "the extension of the Lee-Chung (Lee Jae-myung-Chung Jin-suk) battle," and moving towards a "truly pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) leadership" that can work in sync with the president. He criticized Chung's one-year tenure, linking it to the party's defeat in the June local elections and advocating for a leadership that supports the president's agenda.

Chung Jin-suk, in response, pledged to avoid negative campaigning and emphasized loyalty to the party, referencing the late President Roh Moo-hyun's words on the importance of integrity. He also alluded to past instances of unfair exclusion from nominations, subtly targeting Kim Min-seok, who has a history of party switching.

I will not engage in negative campaigning. I will not blame others. I will not badmouth opponents.

— Chung Jin-sukDemocratic Party leadership candidate, pledging to avoid negative attacks.

Song Young-gil directly accused Chung Jin-suk of engaging in "self-serving politics" that he claims is destabilizing the Lee Jae-myung administration. Song questioned Chung's bid for re-election and criticized his silence on figures like Yoo Si-min, who have been vocal critics of President Lee. He also challenged Chung's claims of leading reform efforts, stating that key achievements like the abolition of prosecutorial supplementary investigation rights were also pursued by other party leaders.

Chung Jin-suk has been engaging in completely self-serving politics, and many party members believe this is destabilizing the Lee Jae-myung government. Why are you seeking re-election?

— Song Young-gilDemocratic Party leadership candidate, accusing incumbent leader Chung Jin-suk of self-serving actions.

The party is conducting a series of regional conventions across the country, with the final results to be announced at the national convention on August 17. The selection process involves 70% party member votes and 30% public opinion surveys.

You are claiming to be attacked 2-to-1 and playing the victim, but the truly lonely one is President Lee Jae-myung. Do we need a party leader who remains silent when Yoo Si-min, who pours curses on the Lee Jae-myung government, speaks?

— Song Young-gilDemocratic Party leadership candidate, criticizing Chung Jin-suk's response to criticism of President Lee Jae-myung.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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