The voting by party members in Honam, which will influence the outcome of the Democratic Party's leadership election on August 17, began on August 11. Candidate Kim Min-seok is narrowly leading candidate Jung Cheong-rae by just 1.48 percentage points, excluding strategic regional weighting, indicating a highly competitive race.
According to the Democratic Party, the voting for Honam party members will take place from August 11 to 14, with results to be announced on August 15. Honam is a stronghold for the party, with over 30% of the total party members located in the region. Given the significant number of party members from Honam residing in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, the results from this voting are expected to serve as a barometer for the overall election dynamics.
In response, candidates Kim, Jung, and Song Young-gil have been intensively visiting Honam during the campaign to garner support. All three candidates are scheduled to continue their activities in the region today. During a TV debate held the previous day on KBC Gwangju Broadcasting, the candidates emphasized their connections to Honam.
Kim described himself as a 'direct political descendant of former President Kim Dae-jung,' stating, 'I am an honorary citizen of Gwangju who spent three years in prison demanding the truth about the Gwangju Democratization Movement, and I am the grandson of a resident of Jindo, Jeonnam.' Jung introduced himself as 'the son-in-law of Honam,' pledging to strengthen the Democratic Party in accordance with the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and the spirit of unity to regain power.
Song, who hails from Goheung, Jeonnam, remarked, 'The progress and outcomes of the 800 trillion won semiconductor investment project will depend on who becomes the party leader. Since this is my hometown, I will take charge of it.'
Notably, the upcoming party convention has brought issues such as the establishment of a semiconductor cluster in Gwangju, Jeonnam, and investments by Hyundai Motor Group in Saemangeum, Jeonbuk, to the forefront. Some have raised concerns about perceived neglect of Jeonbuk compared to the investment scale in Gwangju, leading to speculation that the election results may be unpredictable. The candidates are actively seeking support by addressing the successful promotion of mega projects in Gwangju and responding to the neglect claims regarding Jeonbuk.
The third week of the primary, which includes the Honam and Seoul-Gyeonggi primaries and the party convention, is referred to as 'Super Week.' The winner in Honam, being the first to be determined, could establish a so-called 'dominant narrative,' making the choice of Honam crucial for the overall outcome of the party convention.
Meanwhile, the party leadership election will reflect 70% of votes from delegates and party members and 30% from public opinion polls. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a preferential voting system will be used to determine the winner.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.