Lee Jae-myung secures DPK's presidential nomination with ease

Lee Jae-myung, former chairman of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, waves his hand as he delivers his acceptance speech after winning the party's nomination for the June 3 presidential election at the DPK primary at KINTEX convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. Joint Press Corps

Lee Jae-myung, former chairman of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), secured the party’s nomination for the June 3 presidential election, officially setting the stage for his third presidential bid, Sunday.

The 61-year-old secured the nomination with 89.77 percent support in a weighted system, with 50 percent of the decision based on party members' votes and 50 percent on public opinion poll results.

Lee’s commanding lead left the party's two other candidates far behind. Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon followed with 6.87 percent, while former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo garnered 3.36 percent.

The widely anticipated results were announced during the DPK’s fourth and final regional primary, taking place in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The primary covered party members in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province and Jeju Island.

This marks Lee’s third presidential run, following the first time in 2017 when he was eliminated in the party’s primary, and the second one in 2022 when he was the DPK candidate but narrowly lost to then-conservative candidate Yoon Suk Yeol.

After being confirmed as the DPK candidate, Lee emphasized the need for unity within the party to win the election and reconcile a deeply divided nation.

"In a time when everything is falling apart, amid anxiety and despair, the overwhelming support of 89.77 percent, an unprecedented figure in history, in choosing me as the presidential candidate reflects a deep desire to achieve democracy and human rights, peace and safety, recovery and growth, unity and happiness," he said.

"I will humbly embrace this earnest and solemn message and ensure victory to reclaim power."

Supporters and party members of the Democratic Party of Korea wave light sticks cheering for presidential candidates during the party's primary at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. Yonhap

During the two-week primary campaign, Lee decisively defeated his two rivals in all regions.

He claimed 91.54 percent in Seoul, its surrounding regions, Gangwon Province and Jeju Island, after winning 88.69 percent of the vote in Gwangju and the North and South Jeolla provinces — traditional strongholds of the liberal party — and securing 88.15 percent in the central Chungcheong region and 90.81 percent in the southeastern Gyeongsang region, including Busan and Ulsan.

Lee’s overwhelming lead in the latest party primary marks a sharp increase from his 50 percent support rate in the 2022 presidential primaries.

Yet his dominance attracted scrutiny from anti-Lee factions within the DPK, as well as rival parties portraying him as a leader who stifles diverse voices within the liberal bloc.

Now, as the DPK's flag bearer, Lee is tasked with reconciling with rival factions to unite the party against its main rival, the conservative People Power Party, which is set to finalize its candidate on May 3.

In the election campaign, Lee faces the challenge of appealing to centrists and improving his unfavorable image among swing voters. While he maintains a strong support base, he has yet to make significant inroads with centrists who have turned their backs on the impeached Yoon administration.

Outside the political arena, legal challenges remain a big concern for the liberal candidate. The Supreme Court is expediting its review of election law violation charges against Lee, with some suggesting that a ruling could be delivered before the June 3 vote.

Although the Seoul High Court acquitted Lee in March — overturning a lower court ruling that sentenced him to one year in prison — the Supreme Court's decision could still affect the race.

Under the Public Official Election Act, anyone convicted of violating election laws and fined more than 1 million won is barred from running for office for 10 years.

Three scenarios regarding the Supreme Court ruling are possible. First, the court could uphold the acquittal, effectively clearing Lee of any legal risks. Second, it could send the case back to the High Court with a guilty opinion. In that case, Lee could technically be able to run for president as his case undergoes review at the appeals court, but this would remain a source of attack from rival candidates.

Lastly, the Supreme Court could directly issue a final ruling through a reversal ruling rather than sending the case back to the lower court. However, legal observers view this as highly unlikely, as only one such judgment has been made over the past decade.