Democratic Party supreme council allows Song Young-gil, Kim Yong to run for leadership

South Korea's Democratic Party supreme council has decided to permit Song Young-gil and Kim Yong to compete in the party's national convention for leadership positions. The matter will now be forwarded to the party's standing committee for a final decision.

Kang Joon-hyun, the party's senior spokesperson, informed reporters that the supreme council voted on whether to grant an exception to eligibility rules for Song and Kim. The council's decision to refer the case to the standing committee indicates a preliminary judgment to allow them to run, overriding certain regulations.

Song Young-gil, who is seeking the party leadership, rejoined the party in February after being suspended in 2023 due to allegations of vote-buying. He did not meet the six-month readmission period and sufficient party fee payments required by party regulations. Kim Yong, a candidate for the supreme council, is facing allegations of accepting bribes related to the Daejang-dong development project.

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Regarding the eligibility for election of Song Young-gil and Kim Yong, the supreme council voted for or against granting an exception. The result will be forwarded to the standing committee. In other words, the supreme council has judged to apply an exception for the two people from the disqualification regulations.