Gwangju: Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced his candidacy for leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Monday, vowing to reform the party for the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration. The four-term lawmaker made the announcement as the ruling party plans to hold a convention on Aug. 17 to elect its new chairperson and members of the party's Supreme Council.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim declared his candidacy in the southwestern city of Gwangju, a traditional stronghold for the liberal party. He emphasized the need for sweeping changes, stating that the Democratic Party had failed over the past year to convert public approval for the Lee administration into support for the party and electoral success.

Despite winning a majority of mayoral and gubernatorial seats in the June 3 local elections, including 12 out of 16, the party lost key battlegrounds such as the Seoul mayoral race. "We must restore the DP as a capable, strong, and winning party as it was under the leadership of Lee Jae Myung," Kim asserted.

Kim also cautioned that without a leadership change, the party might face defeat in the upcoming general elections. He urged party members to rally behind him. A key political ally of President Lee, Kim served as Lee's first prime minister starting in July 2025 before stepping down last week.

Kim is expected to compete against Rep. Jung Chung-rae, who recently resigned as DP leader to seek another term, and Rep. Song Young-gil, a former chairman of the party.