One Day Before Democratic Party Floor Leader Election: Where Will the Party Members' Votes, Equal to 34 Lawmakers, Go?

First Reflection of Dues-Paying Party Members' Votes in Democratic Party Floor Leader Election
Seo Younggyo and Kim Byunggi Continue Outreach Beyond the National Assembly

As the Democratic Party of Korea has decided to reflect the votes of dues-paying party members in its floor leader election, there is growing attention on how this decision may affect the outcome. Traditionally, major parties have chosen their floor leaders based on the preferences of their National Assembly members, but this is the first time that the votes of dues-paying party members will be taken into account. Since the party members' votes are equivalent in weight to those of 34 National Assembly members, if their support leans heavily toward one candidate, it could potentially change the result of the election.

On the 10th, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Kim Byunggi (left) and Seo Younggyo, candidates for the 2nd term floor leader of the 22nd National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, posed for the press cameras during a joint debate. 2025.6.10 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

With just one day left before the Democratic Party floor leader election, Seo Younggyo and Kim Byunggi, who are running in the race, are working hard to secure support outside the National Assembly through YouTube and Facebook engagement, as well as by emphasizing their connection to President Lee Jaemyung. The floor leader will be determined by combining the results of the online vote by dues-paying party members, which takes place over two days on June 12 and 13 (accounting for 20% of the total), and the in-person vote by Democratic Party lawmakers on June 13 (accounting for 80%). As of June 11, with the Democratic Party holding 167 seats, the party members' vote is equivalent to about 34 lawmakers' votes.

On June 11, Seo appeared on the YouTube channel "Kim Eojun's News Factory" and said, "This vote is good because it allows us to hear the voices of our party members," adding, "As a partner to President Lee, I am the right person to revive the economy, given my experience in creating livelihood bills such as nationwide disaster relief funds and local currency."

Kim has been generating buzz by posting messages of support from Choi Jinbong, professor at Sungkonghoe University, and comedian Seo Seungman on Facebook. On June 9, he also posted a letter titled "To My Fellow Party Members," in which he appealed for support by saying, "Just as I worked behind the scenes for the Republic of Korea at the National Intelligence Service, I have worked for the party and President Lee Jaemyung like a black agent."

On the 10th, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Kim Byunggi (left) and Seo Younggyo, candidates for the 2nd term floor leader of the 22nd National Assembly from the Democratic Party, posed for the press cameras during a joint debate. 2025.6.10 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Emphasizing their relationship with President Lee is also a key strategy for winning votes. Seo has released a web poster featuring caricatures of herself and President Lee in combat attire, with the message, "On the 12th, please open the door to the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration together with Seo Younggyo." Kim has also posted a Facebook poster with a photo of himself and President Lee, overlaid with the phrase "The Real Republic of Korea, National Reconstruction Partner." During the floor leader candidates' debate, which was broadcast live on the Democratic Party's YouTube channel "Deli Minju" on June 11, both candidates highlighted President Lee's presidential campaign keywords: "ending internal strife" and "restoring livelihoods."

Meanwhile, Kim is actively responding to reports alleging that his wife asked the National Intelligence Service for help in getting their son a job. On Facebook, Kim stated, "Before my wife spoke with Lee Heonsu, the Director of Planning and Coordination, in 2017, she learned that our son had passed the background check in 2014, but a group hostile to Kim Byunggi conspired to overturn the result and disqualify him. What parent would not be outraged?"