The Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership contest moved to Jeju and Incheon on Saturday, with candidate Kim Min-seok taking first place in both regional party votes, according to the Hankyoreh and other South Korean outlets.
Kim’s wins come amid a heated race for party leader, where he and rival Chung Cheong-rae have been running nearly neck-and-neck in recent polls, as reported by Chosun Ilbo. The Jeju and Incheon results mark the second round of regional contests in the party’s national convention process.
The campaign has not been without friction. At the Jeju stop, Kim said the primary has seen “zero conflict,” while Chung demanded an apology for what he called “mud-slinging,” per the Hankyoreh. The exchange highlights the tension between the top contenders as they court party members.
The three main candidates—Kim, Chung, and Song Young-gil—clashed directly in Jeju, with MBC News reporting sharp exchanges. Song accused rivals of “betrayal,” while others leveled a “bombshell declaration” and criticized “party-government discord,” according to the broadcaster.
Kim’s double win in Jeju and Incheon gives him momentum heading into the next rounds, but the narrow margins reported by Chosun Ilbo suggest the race remains fluid. The party’s convention will continue with additional regional votes before a final decision.
What to watch next: whether Chung can close the gap in upcoming regional contests or if Kim’s early lead holds through the convention’s final tally.
