The Democratic Party of Korea is facing controversy over fairness ahead of its national convention scheduled for August 17. Tensions have escalated between factions supporting Lee Jae-myung and Jung Cheong-rae regarding the schedule for the primary elections and the implementation of the preference voting system.
Lee Yeon-hee, a member of the party's convention preparation committee, spoke to reporters after the fourth meeting on July 9, stating, "The preference voting system was decided by the committee and must be approved by the Supreme Council and the party affairs committee. Currently, it is pending with the Supreme Council." She added, "There is a majority opinion within the committee that the preference voting system does not violate party rules."
Previously, Rep. Cho Seung-rae, who served as secretary-general during Jung Cheong-rae's leadership, expressed that the preference voting system is in violation of party rules. Members aligned with Jung also share this view.
With the committee effectively deciding to maintain the preference voting system following the primary schedule, the controversy over fairness is expected to continue. The committee had decided to introduce the preference voting system during its third meeting on July 7, but faced pushback from Jung's faction, leading to a re-evaluation on the same day.
The preference voting system allows voters to list their top three preferred candidates on a single ballot. If a candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes in the first round, they are declared the winner. If no candidate achieves a majority, subsequent choices are counted. Some analysts suggest this method may favor the Lee faction.
Additionally, the Democratic Party revealed the primary schedule during its first committee meeting on June 30, starting in the Chungcheong region and concluding in Daejeon, where the convention will be held, after passing through Ulsan, Busan, Gyeongnam, Jeju, Incheon, Gangwon, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, and Seoul.
The Lee faction criticized the decision to start in the Chungcheong region, Jung's hometown, and raised concerns about the placement of the crucial Honam primary at the end of the schedule.
In response, Lee stated after the second meeting on July 2, "This is a matter already decided according to precedent and based on the majority of committee members' choices," affirming that the primary schedule will proceed as planned.
Meanwhile, ahead of the convention, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Rep. Song Young-gil, Rep. Ko Min-jeong, and former Gwangjin District Council Chair Kim Bo-mi have declared their candidacies. Speculation is also growing regarding Jung's imminent announcement to run. Rep. Kim Yong-min, who was previously mentioned as a potential candidate, has expressed his intention not to run, citing his commitment to judicial reform.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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