The Democratic Party elected Kim Min-seok as its new leader on August 17. However, he failed to secure a majority in the first round of voting, raising questions about his leadership amid challenges from rival factions.
So Byeong-hoon, chair of the party's central election committee, announced the results at the third national party convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center. Kim received 54.08% of the votes through a preferential voting system after failing to achieve a majority in the first round. This system was implemented to determine the winner by combining second-choice votes if no candidate received a majority in the first round.
While Kim led in votes from national delegates (66.69%) and party members (55.94%), he trailed Jung Cheong-rae in public opinion polls, receiving 49.30% compared to Jung's 50.70%. The election results were based on a combination of 70% from national delegates and party members and 30% from public opinion polls.
Despite his election, Kim faces scrutiny due to his failure to secure a majority and the underperformance of Pro-Myeong candidates in the Supreme Council elections. Prior to the election, Kim had expressed confidence in achieving a majority, which some analysts suggested favored the Pro-Myeong faction. However, concerns were raised about potential backlash from Jung's supporters if the preferential voting system determined the winner. Both Kim and Jung have stated they will accept the results.
In the Supreme Council elections, Pro-Myeong candidates Park Seon-won and Seo Mi-hwa were elected, while Kim Yong, a close aide to President Lee Jae-myung, was defeated. Kim Yong had received support from recently resigned lawmakers Kim Young-ho and Lim Mi-ae but was unable to secure a position. There were allegations that Kim Young-ho and Lim Mi-ae's resignations were strategic moves, but Kim Yong's loss dealt a blow to the Pro-Myeong faction. Conversely, Pro-Cheong candidate Choi Min-hee was elected as the top Supreme Council member, along with Lee Seong-yoon and Han Min-soo.
In his acceptance speech, Kim stated, "I will work together with Jung and Song Young-gil," indicating his intention to pursue unity within the party following the convention.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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