Lee Jae-myung's Combined Vote Share in Two Regions 90.75%
Supreme Council Member Candidate Jeong Bong-ju Leads with 21.98%
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, secured over 90% of the combined votes from party members in Jeju and Incheon on the first day of the nationwide party member convention. In particular, he achieved a landslide victory in Incheon, his electoral district, with 93.77% of the votes.
According to the Democratic Party on the 20th, Lee recorded 90.75% in the combined online voting results conducted among party members in Jeju and Incheon, the first primary regions. He overwhelmingly surpassed second-place candidate Kim Doo-kwan (7.96%) and third-place candidate Kim Ji-soo (1.29%). Lee's first-day vote share surpassed the 77.77% he achieved at the party convention two years ago.
Lee's vote share among party members was 82.50% in Jeju and 93.77% in Incheon. Kim Doo-kwan received 15.01% in Jeju and 5.38% in Incheon, while Kim Ji-soo garnered 2.49% in Jeju and 0.85% in Incheon.
The Jeju party member electorate totaled 31,921, with 5,869 participating in the online vote, resulting in an 18.39% participation rate. In Incheon Metropolitan City, the party member electorate numbered 42,403, with 16,013 participating online, yielding a 37.76% participation rate.
As of this day, the cumulative number of party members eligible to vote by region was 74,324, with 21,882 online voters, resulting in an overall online voting participation rate of 29.44%.
Lee Jae-myung Dominates First Place... Emphasizes 'Meoksanism'
In joint speeches in both regions, Lee repeatedly emphasized the so-called 'Meoksanism,' which refers to issues related to livelihood and making a living. In his speech in Jeju, he said, "Among numerous issues, the problem of making a living is the most important. The foundation of people's livelihood is the economy," adding, "The economy grows on rationality and fairness in a stable environment. Therefore, democracy is the economy, and peace is essentially food."
Especially at the nationwide party member convention held in Namdong Gymnasium, Namdong-gu, Incheon, in the afternoon, supporters cheered "Party Leader Lee Jae-myung! Party Leader Lee Jae-myung!" as he entered. Lee raised his voice, saying, "Among numerous issues, the problem of making a living is the most important," and "Solving the people's livelihood issues, 'Meoksanism,' is the most important political ideology and ideology, isn't it?"
He also shared his reflections on Incheon. Lee said, "Incheon warmly embraced me, Lee Jae-myung, who was in despair after the 2022 presidential election defeat, like a mother's embrace, and helped me stand up firmly again. It is like my hometown."
He appealed, "We must build a stronger national party, a more competent ruling party, a future-oriented Democratic Party that creates an era change beyond regime change, and a reliable people's party that the people can trust. Please give me one more chance."
Kim Doo-kwan: "Monopoly System Damages Democratic DNA" Kim Ji-soo: "Constitutional Recognition of Climate Rights"
On the same day, candidate Kim Doo-kwan continued his criticism of Lee's monopoly system. In his speech in Jeju, Kim said, "Isn't the diversity, dynamism, democracy, and democratic DNA?the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun?being damaged in our Democratic Party?" In Incheon, he emphasized, "Unfortunately, the Democratic Party's approval rating is 27%, and the ruling People Power Party's approval rating, showing chaos, is 35%. What does this imply?"
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 sleeping spirit of challenge in the Democratic Party and reveal its dynamism." He continued, "I want to make a challenging Democratic Party, a victorious Democratic Party," and raised his voice, saying, "The Yoon Seok-youl government's tyranny has reached its peak. Politics, diplomacy, and 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."
Jeong Bong-ju Leads for Supreme Council Member Candidate
Among the eight candidates competing for the Supreme Council member positions, Jeong Bong-ju ranked first with 21.98% of the combined votes from Jeju and Incheon primaries. He was followed by Kim Byung-joo (15.57%), Jeon Hyun-hee (13.75%), Kim Min-seok (12.47%), Lee Eon-ju (12.44%), Han Jun-ho (10.62%), Kang Seon-woo (6.65%), and Min Hyung-bae (6.51%). Only the top five candidates by combined vote share will be elected as Supreme Council members.
During their policy presentations, the Supreme Council candidates emphasized 'Myeongsim' (Lee Jae-myung's intentions) to win voter support. Jeong Bong-ju said, "I will establish a Democratic Party government as soon as possible," adding, "Even if the situation becomes difficult, I will persist until an early presidential election is held." Kang Seon-woo emphasized, "Why should we hold the presidential election after the local elections? If the Democratic Party does not remove the 'Kim Geon-hee regime' now, it is dereliction of duty."
Min Hyung-bae said, "I was the first politician from Honam to declare support for Lee Jae-myung early on," and "I believe the future of South Korea lies with candidate Lee Jae-myung, and I still believe my judgment is correct." Lee Eon-ju described herself as "an invincible secret weapon who knows many of the opponent's secrets and has experienced many ups and downs," appealing, "I hope the Democratic Party will use Lee Eon-ju in this emergency situation." Han Jun-ho emphasized, "We need to change the tilted playing field of the media so that I can live comfortably, and we must end this regime so that the people can live in peace."
Kim Han-gyu Elected Jeju Provincial Party Chair, Go Nam-seok Elected Incheon City Party Chair
On the same day, Kim Han-gyu, a member of the National Assembly, and Go Nam-seok, former mayor of Yeonsu District, were elected as the Jeju Provincial Party Chair and Incheon City Party Chair, respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Chair Kim said, "We will build a foundation in Jeju for the Democratic Party to surely win the 2027 presidential election," adding, "To this end, we will expand party member participation and strengthen the provincial party's policy capabilities to gain the trust of the residents." Chair Kim will lead the Jeju Provincial Party until the local elections scheduled for June 3, 2026.
Chair Go won with a party member vote share of 51.89%, defeating candidate Maeng Sung-kyu. He expressed his ambition, saying, "The Democratic Party has taken a groundbreaking first step toward great democracy," and "This election, which granted 80% authority to party members, is driving true party innovation and the Democratic Party's victories in local and presidential elections."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's presidential and Supreme Council member candidates will hold the 3rd and 4th primaries in Gangwon and Daegu-Gyeongbuk on the 21st. The regional primaries, held a total of 15 times, will conclude in Seoul on July 17, with the party convention on August 18 to elect one party leader and five Supreme Council members.
The Democratic Party's presidential and Supreme Council member primaries reflect 56% party members' votes, 14% delegates' votes, and 30% general public opinion polls. Unlike the party members' online votes announced after each regional primary, the party members' ARS votes, delegates' online votes, and general public opinion poll results will be announced together at the party convention on August 18.
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