Honam's support propels Kim Min-seok toward Democratic Party leadership

Kim Min-seok's strong performance in the Democratic Party leadership race, particularly his victory over Jeong Cheong-rae, is largely credited to the decisive support from the Honam region. Party members in this area prioritized Kim's message advocating for stable relations between the party and the presidency, deeming it essential for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Following the regional primaries, which concluded with events in Gyeonggi and Seoul, Kim Min-seok held a cumulative vote share of 49.91%, compared to Jeong Cheong-rae's 41.51%. The gap widened significantly after the Honam primaries, where Kim secured 57.54% of the vote, a substantial lead over Jeong's 32.65%. This regional support was crucial in establishing Kim's commanding lead.

An analysis suggests that Honam party members felt a strong need for a leader who could support national administration, especially as President Lee's approval ratings have shown signs of decline. This sense of urgency to protect the Lee administration appears to have resonated deeply within the Honam base.

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The judgment that a representative is needed to support the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and the re-election of the administration strongly influenced Honam party members.

Furthermore, anticipation surrounding the government's planned "Honam Semiconductor Cluster" project is believed to have swayed voters. A source from Jeong's campaign noted that concerns about potential disruptions to the semiconductor cluster project if Kim were not elected played a significant role in the voting decisions in Honam.

While Kim Min-seok did not achieve an outright majority in the cumulative primary votes, his substantial lead positions him as the frontrunner. The final decision will be made on August 17, combining delegate votes and a national opinion poll, but the momentum appears to be firmly with Kim, who is seen as the candidate most capable of ensuring party-presidency harmony.

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There were concerns among party members that if Kim Min-seok was not supported, the semiconductor cluster project might face difficulties.