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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party of Korea to Hold National Convention on August 17 to Elect New Leader

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Democratic Party of Korea has scheduled its national convention for August 17 to elect a new party leader and Supreme Council members.
  • The party plans to finalize the convention's timing and procedures through various party committees in the coming weeks.
  • Potential candidates for party leader include Jeong Cheong-rae, who is expected to seek re-election, Kim Min-seok, who has signaled his intention to run, and Song Young-gil, who has also expressed a possibility of running.

The Democratic Party of Korea has announced that it will hold its national convention on August 17 to select its new leadership. The party aims to complete the necessary institutional adjustments for the convention's timing and procedures through its Supreme Council and Party Affairs Committee this week, followed by the Central Committee next week.

Jo Seung-rae, the party's Secretary-General, stated at a press briefing that there is a consensus to hold the convention in August, with August 17 being the earliest possible date. He indicated that amendments to the party constitution might be necessary to allow for a more flexible timeline. Following the finalization of the schedule, a Convention Preparatory Committee and an Election Management Committee will be formed. The party will then open candidate registrations for the party leader and the five Supreme Council members. If more than four candidates register for the party leadership, a preliminary election will be held.

We have reached a consensus to hold the national convention in August, with the earliest date being August 17.

— Jo Seung-raeSecretary-General of the Democratic Party of Korea, announcing the date of the national convention.

The race for the party leadership is expected to be competitive. Jeong Cheong-rae, the current party leader, is anticipated to run for re-election. Kim Min-seok, who recently served as Prime Minister, has officially declared his intention to run. Song Young-gil, a former party leader, has also indicated that he might consider running.

In addition to the leadership election, the party's Supreme Council also approved the establishment of an evaluation committee for the recent June 3 local elections and the National Assembly by-elections. Jo Seung-rae mentioned that this committee would be composed of a balanced mix of internal and external members, with co-chairs, and that the committee members would be finalized by the 10th of the month.

It is necessary to make institutional adjustments through amendments to the party constitution to allow for a slightly more flexible period.

— Jo Seung-raeExplaining the process for finalizing the convention's timing and procedures.
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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