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, the Democratic Party of Korea officially kicked off its race to elect a new party leader by holding the first round of its regional primaries in the Chungcheong region, ahead of the August 17 National Convention.

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

Starting in Gongju, Chungnam Province on this day, the Democratic Party is holding joint candidate speech sessions for party leader and supreme council member candidates in succession in Cheongju, Chungbuk and Daejeon.

The voting results for Chungcheong regional party members with voting rights are expected to be announced at around 7 p.m. today. The results to be released will include the votes of eligible members in Daejeon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong. This will mark the first time primary results are publicly disclosed during this National Convention, serving as an early indicator leading up to the National Convention scheduled for August 17.

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

Some observers predict that candidate Jeong Cheongrae, a native of the Chungcheong region, may achieve favorable results in this Chungcheong primary, taking advantage of his local ties. In response, candidates Kim Minseok and Song Younggil have ramped up their efforts to check Jeong and win party sentiment.

In his policy address in Cheongju, Chungbuk on this day, Kim Minseok stated, "A prolonged 'Myeong-Cheong (President Lee Jaemyung and candidate Jeong Cheongrae) clash spells a nightmare for the Democratic Party," emphasizing, "Please help create a truly pro-Lee Jaemyung leadership where the party leader and the president work in full alignment."

Candidate Song also criticized Jeong, stating, "The Democratic Party is not a party that allows reappointment except in very special cases." He added, "I will exercise the right to legitimate self-defense against those who attack the Lee Jaemyung administration, protect the administration, and do my utmost for victory in the general election and for regaining power in 2030."

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