Lee Nak-yeon at 38.48% in 2nd place... Kim Du-kwan Withdraws Candidacy "Supports Lee Jae-myung"
[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] In the Democratic Party's presidential primary in the Jeonbuk region, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung solidified his momentum by securing first place with 54.55% of the vote.
On the other hand, former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who had taken first place in the Gwangju-Jeonnam regional primary the previous day, received only 38.48% of the votes.
Meanwhile, with Representative Kim Doo-kwan withdrawing from the race and declaring support for Lee Jae-myung, the momentum is expected to further shift in favor of Lee Jae-myung's dominance.
At the 'Democratic Party Jeonbuk Primary' held on the 26th at Woosuk University in Wanju County, Lee Jae-myung received a total of 22,276 votes, including 383 votes (56.74%) from national delegates, 21,885 votes (54.51%) from party members with voting rights, and 8 votes (50%) from telephone number registered voters, achieving a vote share of 54.55%.
Former leader Lee Nak-yeon recorded 15,715 votes with a vote share of 34.48%, including 255 votes (37.78%) from national delegates, 15,454 votes (38.49%) from party members with voting rights, and 6 votes (37.50%) from telephone number registered voters.
Following them were Chu Mi-ae with 2,127 votes (5.21%), Park Yong-jin with 512 votes (1.25%), and Kim Doo-kwan with 208 votes (0.51%).
Accordingly, the cumulative votes from the electorate were tallied as Lee Jae-myung with 341,858 votes (53.01%), Lee Nak-yeon with 222,353 votes (34.48%), Chu Mi-ae with 68,362 votes (10.60%), Park Yong-jin with 7,946 votes (1.23%), and Kim Doo-kwan with 4,411 votes (0.68%).
Although Lee Jae-myung lost the lead in the Gwangju-Jeonnam regional primary held the previous day, he achieved a majority vote in the Jeonbuk regional primary.
This is interpreted as being due to the longstanding support for Lee in the Jeonbuk region, as well as favorable conditions following former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's withdrawal from the race and regional lawmakers An Ho-young and Lee Won-taek declaring support for Lee Jae-myung.
In contrast, former leader Lee Nak-yeon failed to maintain the momentum from the Gwangju-Jeonnam primary, and is expected to face significant challenges in the upcoming primaries.
Meanwhile, after the Jeonbuk primary, Representative Kim Doo-kwan announced his withdrawal from the race, stating, "Although many pressing reform tasks remain in South Korea, I believe the best candidate to carry them out is Lee Jae-myung."
In the Jeonbuk primary held that day, out of a total of 76,191 eligible voters, 40,838 participated, resulting in a voter turnout of 53.60%.
Wanju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr
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