Daejeon: Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has been elected as the new leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), taking charge as the party aims to bolster President Lee Jae Myung's legislative initiatives and prepare for the upcoming 2028 parliamentary elections. Kim secured 54.08 percent of the votes, surpassing Rep. Jung Chung-rae who was vying for a second term, at the party's national convention in Daejeon.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim emphasized the party's commitment to supporting President Lee Jae Myung and his administration during his acceptance speech. He articulated a vision of a "creative horizontal partnership" with the presidential office, emphasizing full cooperation and support. Kim also pledged to implement significant changes within the party, focusing on its "language, policies, attitude and culture."
Kim, a close political ally of President Lee, resigned as prime minister earlier this year to contest the leadership race. His victory is anticipated to consolidate Lee's influence over the ruling party. During his campaign, Kim promised to ensure "complete alignment" between the party and the presidential office.
The leadership election process was determined through the Democratic Party's newly adopted ranked choice voting system. No candidate secured a majority in the initial round, leading to the elimination of former DP leader Song Young-gil, who finished third. The election also marked the first use of a one-person, one-vote system, with party delegates and dues-paying members accounting for 70 percent of the final result, while the general public's votes comprised the remaining 30 percent.
Kim's win was largely anticipated following his lead in regional primaries, particularly in the southwestern Honam region, which is home to about one-third of the party's dues-paying members. His opponent, Jung, faced criticism for focusing on hard-line supporters rather than aligning with President Lee on key issues. Jung also drew criticism after the June 3 local elections, where the DP lost significant battlegrounds, including the Seoul mayoral race.
As the new leader, Kim is set to guide the ruling party through the 2028 parliamentary elections and play a pivotal role in furthering Lee's legislative agenda. The DP currently holds a majority in the National Assembly with 161 seats out of 300, enabling it to pass legislation without opposition support. The outcome of the 2028 elections could significantly impact President Lee's legislative momentum in the final years of his term, which concludes in 2030.