First Day of Democratic Party's Nationwide Primary Tour for National Convention... Spotlight on Chungcheong Region

Kim Minseok and Song Younggil vs. Jung Chungrae
A Fierce Battle to Win Over Party Members

On August 1, ahead of the August 17 National Convention, the Democratic Party of Korea kicked off the party leader election race by holding its first regional primary in the Chungcheong region.

On the 1st, banners of the Democratic Party's candidates for party leader and supreme council member were hung at the joint candidate speech venue of the 3rd Regular Nationwide Party Member Convention held at the CJB Media Center in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Cheongju – Photo by Hye-won Moon

On this day, starting in Gongju, Chungnam, the Democratic Party is holding joint speeches for candidates for party leader and Supreme Council, proceeding sequentially in Cheongju, Chungbuk, and Daejeon.

The results of the voting by full party members in the Chungcheong region are expected to be announced at around 7 p.m. on the same day. The results to be released will cover full party member votes from Daejeon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong. This will be the first time in this convention cycle that regional primary results are publicly released nationwide, making these results a key bellwether for the upcoming National Convention set for the 17th.

Earlier, from July 28 to 31, the Democratic Party conducted online and automated response (ARS) voting for full party members in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk.

Some predict that Jung Chungrae, a party leader candidate who is originally from the Chungcheong area, may achieve favorable results in this regional primary thanks to his local ties. In response, candidates Kim Minseok and Song Younggil stepped up their criticism of Jung, vying to win the support of party members.

In his speech in Cheongju, Chungbuk, candidate Kim Minseok emphasized, "An extended round of the so-called 'Myung-Jung (President Lee Jaemyung and candidate Jung Chungrae) showdown' would spell disaster for the Democratic Party," and urged, "Please form an authentic 'pro-Myung' leadership, where the party leader and president work hand-in-glove."

Targeting Jung, candidate Song also remarked, "The Democratic Party is not a party that allows consecutive terms except under very special circumstances." He added, "I will assert our right to legitimate defense against those attacking the Lee Jaemyung administration, protect the administration, and do my utmost to win the general election and help the party regain power in 2030."

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