South Korea's Democratic Party faces deep factional split ahead of 8·17 leadership contest

The Democratic Party of South Korea entered a heated internal battle as former leader Jeong Cheong‑rae announced his candidacy for the party’s 8·17 convention, completing the field of contenders that includes former prime minister Kim Min‑seok and lawmaker Song Young‑gil. The contest is being framed as a prelude to the national parliamentary election, with factions aligned to Lee Jae‑myung (the “pro‑Lee” camp) and to other figures vying for control of candidate nominations.

Amid the leadership race, party members have raised accusations that the religious group Shincheonji is attempting to influence the convention. Lawmaker Lee Gun‑tae pledged to set up a “Shincheonji reporting centre” to collect tips, while candidate Jeong Cheong‑rae dismissed the claims as fabricated news and warned of legal action against false allegations. Separately, acting party leader Han Byung‑do announced the imminent abolition of the "supplementary investigation authority" and promised swift legislative action, linking the reform to broader housing‑policy promises made at President Lee Jae‑myung’s recent public forum.

These developments underscore a volatile period for the Democratic Party, with internal power struggles, allegations of external interference, and policy reforms all converging on the upcoming convention.