Intense power struggle erupts within South Korea's Democratic Party ahead of convention

The race for leadership within South Korea's Democratic Party is heating up, with intense competition emerging not only for the party leader position but also for seats on the Supreme Council ahead of the August national convention.

Both the faction loyal to current party leader Lee Jae-myung and the group supporting former leader Lee Nak-yon are actively maneuvering to secure a majority on the Supreme Council, a key decision-making body. This internal struggle reflects a significant division within the party following the recent local elections.

Potential candidates for the Supreme Council are being discussed within both camps. The 'pro-Lee' faction is considering figures such as former Democratic Research Institute Vice Director Kim Yong, former special committee convenor Park Sung-jun, Lee Geon-tae, and current Gyeonggi Provincial Party Chairman Kim Seung-won. There is also speculation about former Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok, who has publicly declared his opposition to the 'pro-Lee Nak-yon' faction.

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The public and party members are eternal, but party leadership is short-lived.

On the 'pro-Lee Nak-yon' side, potential candidates include Han Min-soo, who served as the party leader's chief of staff, current Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon, Minwon Office Director Lim Oh-kyung, and National Assembly Science, Technology, Information, and Communications Committee Chairman Choi Min-hee.

While no one has officially declared their candidacy yet, a surge of announcements is expected once the party leader's decision on whether to seek re-election is finalized. Concerns are rising about the premature overheating of the party's power struggle, evidenced by recent public clashes between leadership members during a local convention in Gwangju.

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It is unlikely that the responsible person representing the country during the president's tour would be engaged in urgent tasks by giving congratulatory speeches and taking photos at the elected officials' workshop for two consecutive days.