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South Korea's Democratic Party leadership race intensifies amid prosecution reform fight
A Media Tomato poll showed former party leader Jeong Cheong‑rae leading the nationwide Democratic Party leadership preference with 36.9 % support, while Kim Min‑seok topped the party‑member poll with 44.9 %. The party will elect its new leader by combining delegate votes (70 %) with a public‑opinion survey (30 %).
The Democratic Party is also pushing a criminal‑procedure amendment that would abolish the supplementary‑investigation right, tighten victim‑protection measures and create a Serious Crime Investigation Department scheduled to start on 2 October. The bill shortens the fast‑track legislative period from up to 330 days to a maximum of 90 days. Party deputy leader Han Byung‑do criticised the People Power Party’s claim that only the prosecutor’s direct investigation power protects citizens, calling it false and emphasizing the new victim‑protection provisions.
In televised debates, Democratic leadership contenders Jeong Cheong‑rae, Kim Min‑seok and Song Young‑kil clashed over policy and strategy. Candidate I Sung‑yun, a former prosecutor, pledged to pursue prosecution reform and a one‑person‑one‑vote system as part of his leadership bid.
Entities
Democratic Party of Korea · Han Byung-do · Han Byung‑do · I Sung‑yun · Jeong Cheong‑rae · Kim Min‑seok · Ministry of the Interior and Safety · National Election Commission · People Power Party · Shincheonji
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] He cited Article 128‑2 of the constitution, which states a term‑extension amendment would not apply to the incumbent president.
- [● 2 SOURCES] He pledged to manage the convention process to ensure a fair and transparent election reflecting party members’ will.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Any constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term would require political and public consensus.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Han Byung-do said the People Power Party must stop pushing for a presidential term‑extension.
- [● 2 SOURCES] He said Shincheonji members allegedly tried to join the Democratic Party en masse to influence primary elections.
- [● 2 SOURCES] He demanded a swift and thorough investigation by the joint investigation team.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Han urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Election Commission and all parties to meet after the convention to improve the electoral system.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kim Min‑seok received 44.9 % support among Democratic Party supporters in the same poll. www.imaeil.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] People Power Party added two lawyers to its central ethics committee, expanding it from five to seven members.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Han Byung‑do said the criminal‑procedure amendment will abolish the prosecutor’s direct investigation authority and strengthen victim‑protection measures. biz.heraldcorp.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment sets the launch of the Serious Crime Investigation Department for 2 October. biz.heraldcorp.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jeong Cheong‑rae received 36.9 % support in a Media Tomato poll of the general public for the Democratic Party leadership. www.imaeil.com