In the Yeongnam primary vote for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader election, candidate Jeong Cheong-rae received over 60% of the votes, surpassing candidate Park Chan-dae. Candidate Jeong claimed his second consecutive victory following the primary in the Chungcheong region held the previous day.
In the Yeongnam primary held online on the 20th for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader selection, candidate Jeong received 40,868 votes from a total of 65,332 eligible party members, recording a 62.55% voting rate. Candidate Park Chan-dae received 24,464 votes, achieving 37.45%.
When combining the results of the primary votes from the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions held this week, candidate Jeong recorded 62.65%, while candidate Park recorded 37.35%.
The Democratic Party of Korea elects its party leader by reflecting 15% of delegate votes, 55% of party member votes, and 30% of public votes, but only the results of party member votes will be disclosed in this regional primary.
Given the significant impact of party member sentiments on the selection of the party leader, analysts suggest that candidate Jeong, who has achieved over 60% in two consecutive voting rounds, is in a favorable position for the remaining primary schedule.
During his speech, candidate Jeong stated, "I will serve as party leader effectively, just as I did when I was the chairman of the judiciary committee," adding, "I will act as a forward player in scoring reforms."
He continued, "I will finish reform legislation within three months so that the reform highway can operate smoothly with the Lee Jae-myung administration's vehicle carrying people's livelihoods," and remarked, "I will take on difficult jobs and challenges, while the flowers and fruits of cooperation, integration, and stability will be credited to the president."
Candidate Park requested support by saying, "As someone who has closely observed President Lee, I will be the 'vanguard' to ensure the Lee Jae-myung administration's intentions reach the public," but he was unable to secure a significant portion of party member sentiments.
Considering the nationwide damage from heavy rains, the Democratic Party of Korea replaced this week's Chungcheong and Yeongnam region primaries with an online format. The format for the upcoming primaries in Honam (26th), Gyeonggi/Incheon (27th), and Seoul/Gangwon/Jeju (next month on the 2nd) has yet to be determined.
Kim Byeong-ki, acting party leader and floor leader, stated on Facebook that "we will discuss the remaining primary schedule and format during the highest committee meeting this afternoon," adding, "we will gather the hearts and wisdom of the public and party members."