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

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party is in a heated internal contest ahead of its national convention on August 17. Former Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, former party chief Jeong Chung‑rae and lawmaker Park Seong‑jun have all announced bids for top positions, while other figures such as Song Young‑gil and Go Min‑jeong continue to campaign across the country.

The party’s senior leadership is split over the voting method for the upcoming leadership election. One faction backing Kim Min‑seok and allies of President Lee Jae‑myung wants to retain the existing runoff system, while Jeong Chung‑rae’s camp argues that the proposed “preference‑vote” system would breach party rules. The dispute led to a postponed decision at a recent top‑level meeting.

Kim Min‑seok told supporters he is “the one who can best support the president,” while Jeong Chung‑rae warned that any rule change would be “hard to avoid” and urged members to back him as the “person who will protect President Lee.” Park Seong‑jun criticised the party’s current direction, saying “we need action, not just words.” The outcome will shape the party’s strategy for the next general election and its relationship with the Lee administration.