Yeo Supreme Council Member Election, 7 Candidates Running for 5 Seats

Emergency Response Committee Meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Seven candidates will compete in the race for the next Supreme Council member election of the Democratic Party of Korea, which will select five members.

As of 6 p.m. on the 15th, when the Democratic Party closed the registration for Supreme Council member candidates, the total number of candidates was seven: Jeon Hye-sook (3-term), Kang Byung-won, Baek Hye-ryun, Seo Sam-seok (2-term), Kim Young-bae, Kim Yong-min (1-term) lawmakers, and Hwang Myung-seon, mayor of Nonsan.

Thus, most of the candidates are expected to secure the five Supreme Council member seats to be elected at the May 2 party convention.

There will be no preliminary cutoff election either. According to party rules, a preliminary election can only be held if there are nine or more candidates for Supreme Council member.

A party official said, "It is true that there were more movements than ever from various regions, factions, and experience levels to challenge for the Supreme Council member position," adding, "Considering the tight schedule and the main election deposit amounting to tens of millions of won, it would have been burdensome for new faces to challenge."