Kim Min-seok launches bid for South Korea's Democratic Party leadership

Former prime minister Kim Min‑seok announced on July 6 that he is running for the chairmanship of South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party (DP). The declaration was made at a press conference in the Jeon‑il Building, Gwangju, where he also paid respects at the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery. Kim said the party must be revitalised to secure national election victories and criticised the current leadership of former chair Jeong Cheong‑rae, accusing it of causing “self‑politics” and confusing party‑government cooperation. He highlighted his record of overseeing local, parliamentary and presidential election wins and pledged a “big‑integration” plan to unite factions.

The contest has become a four‑way race with DP lawmaker Koh Min‑jung, who positioned herself as the only female and 40‑s‑old candidate promising a “young Democratic Party”, as well as former party chief Song Young‑gil and other potential contenders. All candidates stress internal reform, youth involvement and a strategy to retain power in the upcoming general elections.