DPK Scrambles for Internal Recovery Ahead of Local Elections... Kicks Off Second Supreme Council Debate

Six Days Until Supreme Council and Floor Leader By-Elections
Clear-Cut Competition Over Primary Reform Ahead of Local Elections

With five months remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, the Democratic Party of Korea, currently embroiled in a morality controversy, is focusing on managing internal affairs by holding both the floor leader and Supreme Council by-elections simultaneously. Beyond the rivalry between the pro-Lee Jaemyung faction and the pro-Jeong Cheongrae faction, a competitive dynamic is also emerging within the party as it seeks to recover and renew itself amid allegations of nomination bribery.

During the second joint debate for Supreme Council candidates, held at the party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, at 10 a.m. on January 5, the candidates not only highlighted the confrontation between the pro-Lee and pro-Jeong factions but also competed to present clear solutions for overcoming the crisis and reorganizing the party structure in response to the nomination bribery scandal that has hit the party.

Moon Jungbok, Yoo Dongcheol, Kang Deukgu, Lee Geontae, and Lee Seongyun, candidates running for the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council by-election, are taking a commemorative photo wishing for success before the 2nd joint debate of the Supreme Council by-election held at the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on January 5, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Following the first debate held on December 30 of last year, the party has faced a mounting sense of crisis ahead of the local elections, triggered by a series of events including the departure and expulsion of Assemblywoman Kang Sunwoo, who is under suspicion of accepting nomination bribes, and the resignation of former floor leader Kim Byungki.

Yoo Dongcheol, a pro-Lee Jaemyung candidate, pledged to share the accumulated policy agenda aimed at overcoming internal strife and winning in difficult constituencies. Kang Deukgu promised to manage risks during the election phase. Lee Geontae also emphasized the exclusion of parachute candidates with vested interests by implementing a systematic nomination process. On the pro-Jeong Cheongrae side, Lee Seongyun and Moon Jungbok each advocated for the one-person, one-vote system for both party members and delegates, as promised by party leader Jeong Cheongrae at the national convention, and for promoting the participation of party members in the nomination process.

For the floor leader by-election, which accepted candidate registrations for just one day, four three-term lawmakers-Park Jeong, Paek Hyeryeon, Jin Sungjoon, and Han Byeongdo (listed in alphabetical order)-have declared their candidacies. Both the Supreme Council and floor leader by-elections will be held simultaneously on January 11. The candidates’ judgments regarding former floor leader Kim, who refused to leave the party, may also influence the outcome of the floor leader race.

Appearing on the News Tomato YouTube channel on this day, former floor leader Kim addressed the allegations of condoning nomination bribes and suspicions involving his spouse, stating, "A thorough investigation will reveal everything clearly." He added, "Even if I am expelled, I will not leave the party on my own accord. I ask that at least one person trusts me. Please believe in me and wait just a little longer so that I do not harm the Democratic Party, especially during this stormy period."