50% Party Members, 50% Public Poll in 'National Participation Primary'
Kim Dong-yeon: "I Will Not Be Preoccupied with Advantages or Disadvantages"
Kim Kyung-soo: "Following the Party's Decision Is the Duty"
Kim Doo-kwan: "Endorsing a Specific Candidate... Refusing to Join the Primary"
As the Democratic Party of Korea finalized the presidential primary rules through a 'National Participation Primary,' the final lineup of primary candidates has emerged. Former party leader Lee Jae-myung, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon have confirmed their candidacies. On the other hand, former lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan criticized the decision on the primary rules made without consultation among candidates and decided not to participate in the election.
On the 14th, the Democratic Party held a Central Committee meeting at the National Assembly and announced the confirmation of the so-called 'National Participation Primary,' which selects the June 3 presidential candidate through a 50% vote by party members and a 50% public opinion poll of the general public. The online voting results of the Central Committee members and party members showed 96.56% in favor and 3.44% against.
The National Participation Primary does not allow the general public, who are not party members, to directly vote in the party primary. Previously, the Democratic Party selected candidates through a national primary system where party members and general voters each had one vote. The Democratic Party's Special Committee on Presidential Primary Rules explained that they chose the National Participation Primary to strengthen party member sovereignty and prevent reverse selection.
Political circles evaluated that the National Participation Primary is an election method favorable to the leading presidential candidate, former leader Lee. Since Lee, who already controls the party leadership, has a significant advantage in the voting where party members account for 50%, and the remaining 50% public opinion poll can minimize the 'reverse selection' concerns that were feared in the 'national primary' system. Conversely, for non-mainstream candidates with weak party leadership control, this primary rule is disadvantageous compared to the 'complete national primary (open primary)' and 'national primary' methods.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, is listening to a technology presentation by Baek Jun-ho, CEO of Puriosa AI, at Puriosa AI in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on April 14, 2025. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Kim Doo-kwan Withdraws from Primary... "Betrayed the Spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun"
Former lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan immediately after the Democratic Party's confirmation of the primary rules stated, "I reject the Democratic Party primary that has betrayed the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun," and announced his withdrawal.
Kim proposed a 'fully open open primary' as the primary rule, but claimed that the party's election management committee announced that an open primary was not possible without discussions with the candidates. He criticized, "Primary rules decided without consultation with candidates will obviously result in endorsing a specific candidate."
Regarding the claim that the primary rules were to prevent reverse selection, he pointed out, "How can we hold an election when we are afraid of Shincheonji and Jeon Kwang-hoon?" and added, "Wouldn't it be a more honest choice to simply strip voting rights from those listed in Shincheonji and Sarang Jeil Church?" He then questioned, "Was there ever such reverse selection in the Democratic Party primary?"
Kim reiterated, "I refuse to participate in the Democratic Party primary that excludes the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun," and said, "I want to contemplate what the true future of the Democratic Party is, what political development in Korea means, how to inherit the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, and how to create hope for the people." Finally, he said, "For a while, I plan to listen to advice and take time for deep reflection on what political steps I should take for the people and the country. It won't be very long."
Democratic Party of Korea leader candidate Kim Du-gwan is giving a greeting at the Democratic Party of Korea leader candidate debate held at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 18th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Kim Dong-yeon: "I Will Not Be Preoccupied with Advantages or Disadvantages"
Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon reaffirmed his intention to run, saying about the Democratic Party primary rules, "I will proceed confidently without being preoccupied with advantages or disadvantages." At his presidential campaign office, Kim said, "I will approach the primary with the mindset of a farmer who does not blame the field."
He expressed regret that "the Democratic Party's principle of national primary has collapsed. It is more painful that we disappointed the people," but added, "Since the party members decided, I accept it seriously. From today on, I will keep it in my heart."
He continued, "I will proceed confidently without being preoccupied with advantages or disadvantages. I will compete with visions and policies for a new Korea," and raised his voice, "I will lead by example to make the primary a fierce competition and a grand unity. I will run harder, focusing only on the people."
Governor Kim has focused on differentiating himself by confronting leading presidential candidate former leader Lee on key issues. A representative example is his criticism of Lee's 'unipolar system' and his advocacy for a decentralized four-year renewable term system. Emphasizing his expertise as an economic expert, he immediately responded to Trump's tariff policies with a business trip to Michigan right after announcing his presidential bid, which is interpreted as a strategy to maximize differentiation from Lee.
Kim Kyung-soo: "Following the Party's Decision Is the Duty of Party Members"
Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who confirmed his presidential candidacy the day before, said, "The debate over primary rules is just a kind of tug-of-war," and added, "Following the party's decision is the duty of party members." Kim's camp stated that even if the primary process leads to Lee's dominance, the candidates will be evaluated by party members and the public. However, Kim also proposed to the party to broaden the participation of party members without concerns about reverse selection by including those who have paid party dues within the last six months.
Political circles have also paid attention to Kim's 'good second place' strategy, aiming for the next party leadership. This strategy was first mentioned by former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation director Yoo Si-min on the 5th. Yoo advised Kim to adopt a 'good second place' strategy, refraining from confrontation with Lee and criticism of the unipolar system, to maintain harmony with the party. The advice implies that Kim should secure a meaningful vote share in this primary to establish his position as a leading candidate for the next party leadership and presidential nomination.
Signs of change were detected in Kim's initial statements. In February, he pressured Lee by emphasizing constitutional amendment, but in his declaration, he said, "The completion of ending civil war is the constitutional amendment," and "I will ensure the constitutional amendment is realized in next year's local elections." Rather than confronting Lee, who is lukewarm about immediate constitutional amendment, Kim emphasized unity and coalition, aligning his pace accordingly.
Political commentator Choi Soo-young said in a phone interview, "Kim will adopt a strategy advocating inclusion and unity without provoking Lee for the next step," and predicted, "If he secures 20-25% of the primary vote, he can establish himself as the next leading candidate."
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