Heated Race for Democratic Party Leadership... Fierce Disputes Over Election Rules

Polls Show Jeong Cheongrae and Kim Minseok Leading the Race
Intensifying Conflict over "Personal Politics"
Disputes over Preferential Voting Rules Draw Attention

Internal conflict within the Democratic Party of Korea is intensifying ahead of the party's national convention. As tensions between candidates grow, controversy continues over the rules that will determine the selection process.

According to a Media Tomato poll (commissioned by News Tomato, conducted July 6-7 via wireless phone ARS system with 1,037 respondents aged 18 or older nationwide, margin of error ±3.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level) released on July 9, former Chair Jung Chungrae led with 32.1% support regarding the next Democratic Party leader to be elected on August 17, followed by former Prime Minister Kim Minseok at 28.3%, and former Chair Song Younggil at 10.2%. Jung and Kim are in a close race within the margin of error.

However, when focusing solely on Democratic Party supporters (435 respondents), former Prime Minister Kim received 47.8%, former Chair Jung 30.3%, and former Chair Song 12.3%. This indicates that Kim is gaining an edge when limited to Democratic Party supporters rather than the overall electorate. (For more details on the poll, refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.)

Vice Chairperson Okjoo Song and other members of the Preparatory Committee for the Democratic Party of Korea's National Party Members' Convention are taking a commemorative photo during the first preparatory meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

While former Prime Minister Kim, former Chair Song, and Assemblywoman Go Minjeong have officially declared their candidacies for party leader, former Chair Jung’s announcement is still pending. On the previous day, former Chair Jung wrote on social media, “If you fight two-to-one or three-to-one, you get beaten up badly,” adding, “It hurts a lot.” After criticism from both former Chair Song and former Prime Minister Kim, Jung’s remarks appear to be an expression of distress. On this day as well, Jung appealed through social media, asking people to subscribe to his YouTube channel.

On this day, former Prime Minister Kim scheduled visits to traditional markets and various areas in the southern part of Gwangju Metropolitan City, meeting with local residents and party members. Former Chair Song completed a lecture in Incheon and then moved to Gwangju for a press conference announcing his candidacy for party leader, followed by appearances on local broadcast programs and other engagements.

The candidates have already been engaged in a battle of public opinion, with criticism that former Chair Jung prioritized personal politics over the public good during his tenure as party leader. The controversy has now expanded to include former Prime Minister Kim’s absence from a vote during the lifting of martial law in the past.

Recently, the Preparatory Committee’s decision to introduce a preferential voting system in the national convention has come under scrutiny. Former Chair Jung told reporters the previous day, “I said I would accept the committee’s decision yesterday, but since there’s controversy over a possible violation of the party constitution and regulations, I have reviewed it.” He added, “I have no intention of disputing the primary rules, but if there is room for controversy over violating the party constitution and regulations, it could cause significant confusion among party members.” As a result, the preferential voting system and other related issues will be reconsidered by the Preparatory Committee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.