South Korea Democratic Party leadership race heats up ahead of August convention

Former Democratic Party chairman Jeong Cheong‑rae has intensified his push to repeal the prosecutor’s complementary investigation authority, labeling Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok’s remarks on the issue a “time‑wasting trick” and urging that the bill be passed before July 17. Jeong’s comments have drawn sharp rebukes from the pro‑Lee (Lee Jae‑myung) faction, which accused him of using prosecutorial reform for personal political gain.

A recent Korean Gallup poll shows Prime Minister Kim receiving roughly 40 % support among Democratic Party supporters as a potential next leader. Meanwhile, lawmaker Song Young‑gil, after a U.S. visit to meet Democratic Party officials, returned to South Korea and announced a series of town‑hall meetings in Jeonju and possible participation in the leadership contest. With Jeong, Kim, and Song all positioning themselves as contenders, the intra‑party competition is shaping up as a three‑way race ahead of the party’s August leadership election.