Seoul: Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Jung Chung-rae has emerged victorious in the party-member primary held in the southeast regions of Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province. This win follows his narrow loss to rival Kim Min-seok in the central region, marking a critical moment in the ongoing party leadership race.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung secured 46.65 percent of the votes cast by dues-paying party members in the southeast, surpassing Kim Min-seok, who garnered 43.85 percent. Their third competitor, Song Young-gil, received 9.5 percent of the votes. Jung's victory in this primary represents a significant rebound from his earlier defeat in the Chungcheong region, where Kim narrowly edged him out with 45.05 percent to Jung's 44.61 percent. This loss was particularly impactful as the Chungcheong region is considered Jung's home ground.

The leadership race within the DP has primarily been a contest between Jung and Kim, with Jung being closely associated with the party's hard-line wing, in contrast to Kim, who is a prominent political ally of President Lee Jae Myung. The conclusion of this leadership race is set for the national convention on August 17, where the new leader will be elected. This leader will have a significant role in overseeing the selection of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2028.