How did Kim Min-seok perform in the DPK primaries in Gwangju and Jeolla Province?

Kim won a combined 57.54 percent of the votes from Gwangju, North Jeolla and South Jeolla provinces. Jung Chung-rae got 32.65 percent, and Song Young-gil received 9.81 percent.

When will the Democratic Party of Korea choose its next leader?

The new leader will be elected at the party congress on Monday. The final regional primary, in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, takes place Sunday before that vote.

Ex-PM Kim wins Gwangju-Jeolla primaries in leadership election

Q: What role will the new DPK leader play before the 2028 parliamentary elections?

The new leader is expected to play a key role in overseeing the nomination of candidates for the April 2028 parliamentary elections. Kim's win kept him ahead in the cumulative vote count with 52.21 percent.

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Summary

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok won the Democratic Party of Korea primaries in Gwangju and Jeolla Province on Saturday, strengthening his lead in the party leadership race. He took 57.54 percent of the regional vote, ahead of Jung Chung-rae at 32.65 percent and Song Young-gil at 9.81 percent. Kim now leads the cumulative vote count before the party congress Monday, while the final primary is set for Sunday in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

Key Facts

Kim Min-seok has won four regional primary rounds so far, including Chungcheong, Incheon and Jeju, Gangwon and Daegu-North Gyeongsang, and Gwangju and Jeolla.
The DPK has held five of six regional primary rounds so far.
The party's new leader is expected to oversee the nomination of candidates for the April 2028 parliamentary elections.
Kim leads the cumulative vote tally with 52.21 percent, followed by Jung Chung-rae with 38.14 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 15, 2026 8:32 pm KST

From left, the Democratic Party of Korea's leadership candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil raise their fists at Naju Sports Park in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Saturday, during a Gwangju-Jeolla joint rally for electing the party's leader and Supreme Council members. Yonhap

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok won the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) primaries in Gwangju and Jeolla Province on Saturday, outpacing his two rivals in the party's leadership race.

Kim garnered a combined 57.54 percent of the votes from Gwangju and North and South Jeolla provinces, beating Jung Chung-rae, who is seeking a second consecutive term as DPK leader, with 32.65 percent.

Song Young-gil, a former DPK leader, came in third with 9.81 percent.

Kim's victory Saturday allowed him to maintain his lead in the leadership race ahead of the party congress Monday, where the new leader will be elected.

The party's new leader is expected to play a key role in overseeing the nomination of candidates for the April 2028 parliamentary elections.

Kim leads the race in cumulative votes, garnering 52.21 percent, followed by Jung with 38.14 percent.

The DPK has held five of six regional primary rounds so far. The final primary, in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, takes place Sunday.

Kim has won four rounds — in the central Chungcheong region; Incheon and Jeju Island; Gangwon Province, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province; and Gwangju and Jeolla Province — while losing to Jung in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province.

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