The regular National Party Members' Convention (Party Convention) to elect the next leadership team to lead the Democratic Party of Korea was held on the 18th. At this event, while the reappointment of former leader Lee Jae-myung is highly likely, the competition among the candidates for Supreme Council member remains fierce until the final moments.
Seo Sam-seok, a member of the National Assembly, who was elected as the temporary chairperson of the convention held at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, declared the opening, saying, "I hope this day will be remembered and recorded as a historic day when the Democratic Party and the Republic of Korea unite to rise again." The Democratic Party announced that 11,102 out of the total 17,416 delegates attended, confirming a quorum.
On this day, Seo mentioned the 15th anniversary of the passing of former President Kim Dae-jung, stating, "As the Democratic Party that strengthens democracy, human rights, and peace, let us inherit and develop President Kim Dae-jung's philosophy." He also said, "On the occasion of the tenth Rice Day, I hope this will be an opportunity to understand the public functions of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, and to reflect on the value and importance of rice."
On the 18th, party members participating in the '2024 Democratic Party 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention' held at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul, are cheering. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Once the convention begins, the candidates will take turns presenting their platforms. The winners will be decided by combining 56% from the votes of party members with voting rights, 14% from delegate votes, and 30% from general public opinion polls.
At the convention, the Democratic Party will elect one party leader and five Supreme Council members. The results will reflect 56% party members' votes, 14% delegates' votes, and 30% general public opinion polls. According to the online voting results of party members with voting rights over the past month, candidate Lee Jae-myung leads with a cumulative vote share of 89.90%. Candidate Kim Doo-kwan follows with 8.69%, and candidate Kim Ji-soo with 1.42%.
For the Supreme Council members, based on the current cumulative vote shares, candidates Kim Min-seok (18.63%), Kim Byung-joo (14.30%), Jeong Bong-ju (14.17%), Han Jun-ho (13.78%), and Jeon Hyun-hee (12.75%) are in the winning zone, followed by Lee Eon-ju (11.43%), Min Hyung-bae (9.90%), and Kang Seon-woo (5.05%).
Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with key party officials, is waving hands with party members at the '2024 Democratic Party of Korea 1st Regular National Party Members' Convention' held on the 18th at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
