Highest Vote Share... Reaffirming Party Control
Securing Full Momentum for Presidential Bid
If Vote Share Is Low, 'Shy Bimyeong Faction' Raises Concerns
Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expected to surpass the highest vote percentage he recorded in the previous party convention for a successful start of the 'second-term leadership.' Inside and outside the Democratic Party, attention is focused on whether Lee will secure more than 77% of the vote at the August 18 party convention. The 77% represents the highest vote percentage Lee achieved in the 2022 party convention, defeating his rival, former lawmaker Park Yong-jin.
If Lee renews his vote percentage record at the party convention, it is anticipated that he will gain significant momentum for his future presidential bid. This is because the party leader elected this year will have the authority to decide nominations for the 2026 local elections. Additionally, a solid position has the advantage of minimizing unnecessary internal conflicts. A Democratic Party lawmaker from the anti-Lee faction said, "If Lee records a higher-than-expected vote percentage, it will prove 'Lee Jae-myung's time,' following public support from the general election victory."
Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is declaring his candidacy for party leader at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
He can also solidify the opposition's policy leadership. For example, regarding policies such as the re-examination of the comprehensive real estate tax and the postponement of the application of the financial investment income tax, which have sparked controversy inside and outside the party, it is interpreted that minimizing internal opposition and gaining consent from the opposition as the leader of the main opposition party will become easier.
The variable is former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan, who entered the party leader race and may secure more than 20% of the vote. In this case, even if Lee takes the party leadership, it is expected that his leadership will be damaged. This was confirmed in the 22nd National Assembly Speaker election. At that time, Lee and the leadership supported lawmaker Choo Mi-ae for Speaker, but the result ended with lawmaker Woo Won-shik's victory. This proved that there is a faction within the party that does not align with Lee's intentions. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong predicted, "If Lee does not record an overwhelming vote percentage, the period when the party's 'shy anti-Lee faction' raises its head may be accelerated."
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