'Jeong Chungrae vs Park Chandae': Ruling Party Leadership Race Set as Two-Way Contest with Candidate Registration Closed

The ruling Democratic Party's next leadership race has been confirmed as a two-way contest between four-term lawmaker Jeong Chungrae and three-term lawmaker Park Chandae.

Jeong Chungrae and Park Chandae, Democratic Party presidential candidates. Photo by Yonhap News.

On July 10, the Democratic Party's Central Election Management Committee announced that by 6 p.m. that day, only two candidates?Jeong and Park?had registered for the main race for party leader and Supreme Council member. Through a drawing, Jeong was assigned number 1 and Park number 2 on the ballot.

After registering his candidacy, Jeong held an online national briefing via YouTube, where he also unveiled his top 10 campaign pledges. He appealed for support by stating, "We are currently in a wartime system, fighting a war against rebellion," and emphasized that "strong leadership is needed."

Park began his campaign with a press conference for candidate registration at the party headquarters' members' zone. He highlighted the importance of stable leadership, saying, "A single instance of discord between the party, government, and presidency can lead to national turmoil," and added, "This is not a time for experiments, but for proven leadership."

For the Supreme Council election, only first-term lawmaker Hwang Myungseon registered as a candidate, confirming him as the sole contender.

This party convention is a by-election, triggered by the resignation of former party leader and current President Lee Jaemyung, as well as former chief Supreme Council member and current Prime Minister Kim Minseok, from their respective party posts.