First Local Primary in Jeju: Lee Leads with Highest Vote Share
Kim Du-gwan 15%, Kim Ji-su 2.5% Vote Shares Respectively
In the Jeju primary on the 20th to elect the next leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, candidate Lee Jae-myung won a landslide victory with over 80% of the vote.
Candidate Lee topped the first regional tour primary held in Jeju that day with a party member vote share of 82.50%. Candidate Kim Du-kwan received 15.01%, and candidate Kim Ji-soo got 2.49%.
In the highest committee Jeju primary with a total of eight candidates, the results were as follows: Jeong Bong-ju (19.06%), Jeon Hyun-hee (15.78%), Kim Min-seok (13.18%), Kim Byung-joo (13.08%), Han Jun-ho (12.09%), Lee Eon-ju (12.0%), Kang Seon-woo (7.81%), and Min Hyung-bae (7.01%).
Lee Jae-myung: "Livelihood Issues Are Important"... Repeated Emphasis on 'Meoksanism'
Before the vote, candidate Lee, seeking re-election as party leader, repeatedly emphasized the livelihood issue called 'Meoksanism' in his joint speech. At the event, he said, "Among numerous issues, livelihood is the most important. The foundation of people's lives is the economy. The economy grows on rationality and fairness in a stable environment. Therefore, democracy is the economy, and peace is food."
He continued, "We must restore growth through building a peaceful, orderly, and safe democratic society and foster more opportunities and hope through sustainable growth," adding, "We must rise again as an economically strong nation, a culturally strong nation, and a model democracy recognized worldwide."
Candidate Lee also stressed the necessity of energy transition. He said, "The unavoidable energy transition must also be turned into a new opportunity for growth and development," and added, "We must build an 'energy highway,' an AI-based intelligent power grid and energy storage system, so that anyone, anywhere in the country can produce and sell renewable energy."
Kim Du-kwan: "Democratization DNA Damaged... Will Build a Party for the Middle Class and Common People"
Candidate Kim Du-kwan continued his criticism of the 'Lee Jae-myung one-man regime' in his speech that day. He said, "(Currently, the Democratic Party) is a one-man party with an imperial president, where communication is blocked and debate and alternatives have disappeared," adding, "The diversity, dynamism, democracy, and democratization DNA of the Democratic Party, rooted in the spirits of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, are being damaged."
He then questioned, "Looking at the party support ratings from Gallup, our party is at 27%, and the People Power Party is at 35%. Despite the Yoon Seok-youl government's approval rating hitting rock bottom, our party's support remains at this level. Doesn't this imply something significant?"
Regarding the exception made to the party constitution and regulations about the Democratic Party leader resigning one year before running for president, he asked, "Was this special clause added to exercise nomination rights in the 2026 local elections?" He emphasized, "Our party is for the middle class and common people. We will carry on the spirits of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun and lead the regime change without fail."
Kim Ji-soo: "Constitutional Recognition of Climate Rights"
Candidate Kim Ji-soo said, "If my 1% can expand our party's reach, I will throw myself there," adding, "With my bold challenge, I want to awaken the dormant spirit of challenge in the Democratic Party and reveal its dynamism."
Kim said, "I want to build a challenging Democratic Party, a victorious Democratic Party," emphasizing, "The Yoon Seok-youl government's tyranny has reached its peak. Politics, diplomacy, and the economy?all aspects of people's lives are shaken to the core. The Yoon Seok-youl government is the very risk to the Korean Peninsula."
He then asked, "What is the mission of our Democratic Party now? I ask. It is only one: regime re-creation," and added, "In the last presidential election, we failed to fully win the hearts of the future generation. As a result, we lost by a margin of 0.73%. The future is climate, peace, and economy. I will enshrine climate rights in the constitution."
Following the Jeju Provincial Party, the Democratic Party will hold a joint speech meeting at the Incheon City Party. Afterwards, the schedule continues with △Gangwon Provincial Party, Gyeongbuk Provincial Party, Daegu City Party on the 21st △Ulsan City Party, Busan City Party, Gyeongnam Provincial Party on the 27th △Chungnam and Chungbuk Provincial Parties on the 28th △Jeonbuk Provincial Party on August 3rd △Gwangju City Party and Jeonnam Provincial Party on the 4th △Gyeonggi Provincial Party on the 10th △Daejeon City Party and Sejong City Party on the 11th △and Seoul City Party on the 17th.
After completing the nationwide tour, the Democratic Party will decide on the new leadership, including the party leader and five elected supreme council members, at the party convention held on the 18th of next month at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul. At the convention, the delegate vote accounts for 14%, party member vote 56%, and public opinion poll 30% in the final decision.
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