"Anyone Can Become One"... Democratic Party Announces Criteria for Nominated Supreme Council Member from Ordinary Members

Discovering Political Newcomers, Realizing Party Member Sovereignty
Selection Process Consists of Four Stages

The Democratic Party of Korea has begun the process of selecting a Supreme Council member from among its ordinary members, a key pledge made by party leader Jeong Cheongrae. The plan aims to discover rank-and-file members with no political experience and realize the principle of party member sovereignty.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on this day, Leader Jeong stated, "The Democratic Party intends to appoint one Supreme Council member by nominating a candidate through a democratic process."

The eligibility criteria for ordinary members to apply for the Supreme Council position are as follows: applicants must have no experience as elected or appointed officials; in terms of party positions, they must not have served as chair of the central party, city or provincial party, or any committee at any level; and regarding public office, they must meet the party constitution and regulations' definition of a "political newcomer."

The process to select one Supreme Council member from among the 1.15 million dues-paying members consists of four stages.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. 2025.8.13 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

After the first round of qualification screening, the pool will be narrowed to 30 to 50 candidates. In the second round, interviews will further reduce the number to 10 to 20 candidates who will advance to the third stage.

Through a jury workshop in the third stage, finalists will be selected entirely by a jury, and one additional candidate who succeeds in a "second chance" online vote by party members will be included, resulting in a final shortlist of three to five candidates. The ultimate winner will be chosen by a vote of all party members.

Leader Jeong commented, "This is the first time our party is attempting to appoint a Supreme Council member from among ordinary members," adding, "If the system is well established and receives a positive response, we will continue to make it a tradition going forward."

He further urged, "Since we are selecting one person out of 1.15 million dues-paying members, I hope many will apply with the spirit of challenge, thinking, 'I too can become a Supreme Council member as an ordinary member.'"