Lee Jae-myung, the leading opposition presidential candidate and leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expected to resign from his party leadership position next week and officially begin his presidential campaign.
According to political circles on the 6th, Lee will resign from his leadership position and enter the party primary system as soon as Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo designates the presidential election date at the Cabinet meeting next week. It is anticipated that Acting Prime Minister Han will announce the presidential election schedule at the Cabinet meeting on the 8th.
As Lee formally launches his presidential bid, non-Lee (anti-Lee Jae-myung) faction candidates are also expected to decide soon whether to run for president.
Among the non-Lee faction figures, former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan will officially declare his presidential candidacy within the party on the 7th. The non-Lee faction's 'New 3 Kims' (Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Kim Boo-kyum, former Prime Minister; and Kim Kyung-soo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province) are also expected to announce their presidential candidacies as early as next week.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the 'Emergency Questioning on the Management of Wildfire Situations and Damage Countermeasures in Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan Regions and the Protection of Constitutional Order' held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 3rd. 2025.4.3 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Kim Kyung-soo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, who has the support of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction, is reportedly leaning toward running. Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province is also expected to decide on his candidacy next week.Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is still deliberating over whether to run.
Park Yong-jin, a former Democratic Party lawmaker who has been mentioned as a potential next presidential candidate, announced on the same day that he will not run in the early presidential election. Through his Facebook, Park declared, "I will not run in this presidential election. After listening to many people's advice and much contemplation, I will dedicate myself to finding my role as an ordinary party member for the people's victory and regime change, rather than as a primary candidate."
Additionally, other major non-Lee faction politicians in the opposition, such as former National Assembly Secretary-General Lee Kwang-jae and former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok, are also rumored to be considering presidential bids.
On the same day, Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu from the People Power Party, reiterated his intention to run in the early presidential election. Through his social media (SNS) Facebook, Mayor Hong said, "I am heading to Seoul to pursue my final dream." He added, "This is my 25th move. Just like 53 years ago when I took the night train from Dongdaegu Station to Seoul, this time I am taking the high-speed train to Seoul."
Mayor Hong said, "Next week looks like it will be a very busy week. On Tuesday, I will go around to say farewell as I step down, and on Thursday, I will visit the city council, which has monitored and supported the city administration, to say goodbye." He also mentioned, "On Friday, I plan to thank the employees of Daegu City Hall."
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