Democratic Party of Korea faces leadership race tensions and expulsion resolution

The Democratic Party of Korea is navigating intense internal competition and political controversy during its leadership election process. Candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil are competing for the party leadership, with the Honam region serving as a critical battleground. During recent joint rallies in the Honam area, candidates emphasized their personal ties to the region and promised economic revitalization through major projects.

Internal tensions have also surfaced, as candidate Song Young-gil issued an apology for using the derogatory term ‘goldfish IQ’ to describe rival candidate Jung Chung-rae during a debate.

Separately, the Democratic Party has submitted a resolution to the National Assembly seeking the expulsion of People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook. The move follows Lee’s participation in a forum regarding the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, which the opposition party characterizes as a distortion and disparagement of the historical event.