Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyung-soo, and Kim Dong-yeon Enter Three-Way Race... Democratic Party Primary Candidate Registration Completed (Comprehensive)

Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyung-soo, and Kim Dong-yeon Complete Preliminary Registration
Three-way Race Begins with Calls for Democracy, Constitutional Protection, and Economic Reform
Regional Primaries to Start on the 16th, Final Candidate to Be Confirmed on the 27th

With former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung completing his preliminary candidate registration for the presidential election, the Democratic Party primary is expected to become a three-way race involving former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon. Ahead of the primary, Lee and former Governor Kim emphasized democracy and constitutional protection, while Governor Kim highlighted the economy as a key theme.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions after holding a press conference on the 'Vision Declaration and Campaign Schedule Announcement' at the National Assembly Communication Hall on April 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 15th, Lee’s campaign secretary-general Lee Hae-sik visited the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, to submit the preliminary candidate registration documents. After submitting, Lee Hae-sik told reporters, "I hope this primary will be a fair contest, a primary that gives hope to the people, and a primary that pledges to protect democracy and the constitution."

Governor Kim submitted his preliminary candidate registration documents in person that afternoon. Immediately after registering, he told reporters, "It’s not 'Eodaem' (Anyway, the president is Lee Jae-myung), but 'Eodaeguk' (Anyway, the president is chosen by the people)," adding, "I will focus solely on the people."

Governor Kim emphasized 'economy' as the keyword for the primary. He said, "I will be a confident and honest economic expert," stressing, "The time for the economy does not wait for politics." He added, "There is talk of an additional supplementary budget (Chugyeong) of 12 trillion won now, but considering the difficult economy and people’s livelihood, I earnestly request here that the political circles and government handle a supplementary budget of at least 30 trillion to 50 trillion won."

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Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who completed his preliminary candidate registration first that morning, said, "This primary must be an overwhelming regime change to completely overcome martial law and rebellion," adding, "Only through a 'light coalition' where all constitutional protection forces who defended the constitution through this impeachment unite can the democratic government that will enter through presidential victory succeed."

Regarding the 'light coalition,' Kim Kyung-soo said about the possibility of cooperation with the People Power Party, "(The People Power Party) must first break ties with the rebellion forces," adding, "As a party labeled as Yoon Seok-youl’s party and cohabiting with rebellion forces, it is impossible to participate in the light coalition."

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Former lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan criticized the primary rules being finalized without consultation with candidates and expressed his refusal to participate in the primary.

Meanwhile, the primary candidates will begin with a fair election agreement ceremony on the 16th, followed by the first round of regional primaries from the 16th to 19th in the Chungcheong region, the second round from the 17th to 20th in the Yeongnam region, the third round from the 23rd to 26th in the Honam region, and the fourth round from the 24th to 27th also in the Honam region. The final presidential candidate will be confirmed on the 27th, and if no candidate obtains a majority, a runoff vote will be held, with the final candidate confirmed on the 1st of the following month.