The Democratic Party and Primary Postponement Faction "Regretfully Accept"... Resolving Conflict and Starting Preliminary Candidate Registration Next Week

Democratic Party to Select September Presidential Candidate According to Principles
Lee Nak-yeon, Chung Sye-kyun, Lee Kwang-jae Camps "Regretful but Accept Party Decision"
Early to Mid-July Preliminary Primaries Narrow 9 Candidates to 6... Presidential Candidate to Be Nominated by September 10

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea has concluded on the 25th to proceed with the original schedule for the presidential primary without delay, putting an end to the internal debate over postponing the primary. Former party leader Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae, who had advocated for postponing the primary, expressed regret but stated they would 'accept' the decision for now. Following this decision, the Democratic Party plans to begin accepting preliminary candidate registrations from next week and hold the preliminary primary (cutoff) in early to mid-July, officially starting the primary race.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 25th, the Democratic Party presidential candidates who had called for postponing the primary expressed regret but accepted the party leadership's decision at the Supreme Council meeting to select the presidential candidate in early September, '180 days before the presidential election,' as stipulated in the party constitution.

On the same day, former Prime Minister Chung said on Facebook, "I believe that holding a primary with dynamic public participation after herd immunity is the best option, but I will accept the leadership's decision." He added, "I will devote all my efforts to the re-creation of the administration."

Former leader Lee also said, "I accept the Supreme Council's decision regarding the primary schedule," and added, "The sincere concerns expressed by lawmakers and numerous party members during the internal discussions about the primary schedule will be used as valuable energy for the party's re-creation of the administration."

However, regret over the postponement was evident in various places.

Lawmaker Lee wrote on Facebook, "Although there are regrettable aspects, I respect the party's opinion," and added, "I will create a dynamic comeback drama in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. That is how the Democratic Party can survive."

Oh Young-hoon, a lawmaker affiliated with Lee Nak-yeon, expressed strong regret over the party leadership's unilateral attitude, saying, "The decision made by the party leadership today was a unilateral and arbitrary decision that ignored the opinions of the majority of lawmakers."

He continued, "It is a bad precedent that destroys the democratic tradition the Democratic Party has upheld," and criticized, "The leadership, which decided on a non-competitive primary due to COVID-19 non-face-to-face measures, summer vacations, and the Olympic Games, will not be free from responsibility for this in the future."

Former Prime Minister and Democratic Party presidential candidate Jeong Se-gyun, along with lawmakers Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Kwang-jae, are attending a discussion on "What Should Be Done About Urban Airports?" held on the 22nd at the Seoul Marina Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul, and are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Despite these criticisms, the Democratic Party is expected to select the next presidential candidate by September 10, according to the Supreme Council's decision on the day.

The Presidential Primary Planning Committee plans to set the primary period at about 75 days and will accept preliminary candidate registrations next week. By early to mid-next month, a cutoff will be held to reduce the current nine candidates to six.

So far, six ruling party presidential candidates have officially declared their candidacy: Park Yong-jin, Yang Seung-jo, Choi Moon-soon, Lee Kwang-jae, Chung Sye-kyun, and Chu Mi-ae, with lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan officially declaring on July 1. Currently, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who rank first and second in ruling party support, are reconsidering the timing of their candidacy announcements.