Democratic Party Convention: Three-Way Race Between Kim Minseok, Jeong Cheongrae, and Song Younggil... Supreme Council Split as Five Pro-Lee Jae-myung vs. Three Pro-Presidential Office (Comprehensive)

Supreme Council Member Candidates:
Park Seonwon, Lee Seongyun, Kim Yong, Han Minsu, Seo Mihwa, Choi Minhee, Kim Youngho, and Lim Mia

Kim Minseok, Jeong Cheongrae, and Song Younggil have advanced as candidates for party leader in the Democratic Party of Korea’s 8·17 National Convention finals.

So Byunghun, chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Democratic Party, announced at the National Assembly on the 23rd that “No. 1 Kim Minseok, No. 3 Jeong Cheongrae, and No. 5 Song Younggil” were selected as winners in the preliminary candidate election. Assemblywoman Go Minjeong and former Gangjin County Council member Kim Bomi were eliminated.

For the Supreme Council member race, Park Seonwon, Lee Seongyun, Kim Yong, Han Minsu, Seo Mihwa, Choi Minhee, Kim Youngho, and Lim Mia passed. Lawmakers Lee Geontae and Park Sungjun, Democratic Party Policy Committee Vice Chair Jeong Mincheol, Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seungwon, former Assemblyman Shin Gyeryun, and former Military Human Rights Center Director Kim Hyeongnam were cut in the race.

In accordance with election rules, the Democratic Party did not disclose the voting rate for the preliminary.

While the results of the party leader primary proceeded as anticipated, in the Supreme Council member race, three pro-Lee Jae-myung camp candidates—Lee Seongyun, Han Minsu, and Choi Minhee—successfully passed the preliminary, drawing attention. Meanwhile, Park Seonwon, Kim Yong, Seo Mihwa, Kim Youngho, and Lim Mia are categorized as pro-Lee Jae-myung camp.

Democratic Party preliminary candidates Kim Minseok, Jung Cheongrae, and Song Younggil pose for a commemorative photo at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 23rd. From left to right are Representative So Byunghun, Chair of the Central Party Election Commission; Candidate Jung; Han Byungdo, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader; Candidate Kim and Candidate Song. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, voter turnout for the primary election was low, at 37.44%. Chairman So explained, “Among the 439 members of the Central Committee voting group, turnout was 88.38%. Out of 1,553,820 dues-paying party members, 581,484 voted, resulting in a turnout of 37.42%.” Therefore, the final turnout figure stood at 37.44%.

In his remarks upon advancing, candidate Kim Minseok said, “The result was about 37% in today’s (preliminary) race. In the final primary, I hope both the party and the candidates will work together to ensure that we have a 100% party member vote, in line with the principle of one person, one vote and party member sovereignty.” He also stated, “Now that the national convention has officially begun, it is time to conclude the issue of prosecution reform. Prosecutorial reform must not become an obstacle or a tool for exploitation. Since I have expressed my position several times, I hope the party leadership will handle it properly.”

Candidate Jeong Cheongrae stated, “As someone who has never left the Democratic Party, I have unwaveringly upheld the party’s identity and the flag of reform. I will unite all four branches and, outside the party, pursue unity and solidarity. I will respond strongly to any attempts to undermine one person, one vote party member sovereignty, and I will defend the one person, one vote principle and lead the party on the path of party member sovereignty.” He further warned, “I will respond firmly to the spread of false or fabricated information and fake news. Any actions that endanger the party will never be forgiven.”

Candidate Song Younggil said, “I will be watching whether the ruling party, which is responsible for South Korea, truly understands the suffering of the people, or whether they are only fighting among themselves, and whether they are addressing the main issues effectively. Through this national convention, I, Song Younggil, will present the key issues facing South Korea and suggest future directions.” He continued, “Once again, I will create a Democratic Party where there will be no more discord between the party and the presidential office. We will put our heads together so the party and the presidential office move forward as one.”

The three party leader candidates and eight Supreme Council member candidates who passed the preliminary will campaign across the country in the final round starting from August 1. The schedule begins with South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, Daejeon, and Sejong on August 1, followed by Ulsan, Busan, and South Gyeongsang on the 2nd, Jeju and Incheon on the 8th, Gangwon, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang on the 9th, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, and Gwangju on the 15th, and Gyeonggi and Seoul on the 16th. The final winner will be determined at the national party members’ convention to be held at Daejeon Convention Center on August 17.

Candidates who passed the preliminary race for the leader and highest council member of the Democratic Party of Korea are taking a commemorative photo on the 23rd at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. From the left: Park Seonwon, candidate for highest council member; Lee Sungyun, candidate for highest council member; Han Minsu, candidate for highest council member; Choi Minhui, candidate for highest council member; So Byung-hoon, Member of Parliament and Central Party Election Committee Chairman; Jung Cheongrae, candidate for party leader; Han Byungdo, acting party leader and floor leader; Kim Minseok, candidate for party leader; Song Younggil, candidate for party leader; Lee Hakyoung, Member of Parliament and national party member convention preparation committee chairman; Kim Yong, candidate for highest council member; Seo Mihwa, candidate for highest council member; Lim Miae, candidate for highest council member; Kim Youngho, candidate for highest council member. Photo by Yonhap News.

The finals will reflect 70% of the votes from national delegates and dues-paying party members, and 30% from a public opinion poll. However, in the regions of Daegu, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang, an additional 5% weight will be applied to the valid ballot results.

For the party leader election, voters select their first through third choices under a preferential voting system. For Supreme Council member candidates, each voter can cast one vote for up to two candidates. Of the eight candidates, five will be selected as elected Supreme Council members, but if the top five vote-getters are all men, the highest-ranked female candidate will replace the fifth-ranked male candidate as Supreme Council member.

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