김민석, 주말 연승 3086표 격차…‘박빙 우위’ 대세는 아직

The 8/17 National Assembly party congress race for the next party chairman is a tight contest between 정청래 and 김민석 candidates. 정 후보 won in 충청권 after 특별회의, while 김 후보 won in 부산·울산·경남, placing 김 후보 in a '김민석 경합 우위' trend. However, the cumulative vote difference stands at 1.48% (3086 votes), with the decisive outcome pending the 호남·수도권 권리당원 투표 on May 15-16.

The Democratic Party announced results from 제주·인천 and 강원·대구·경북 on the 8th and 9th, respectively, covering roughly 30% of the total party's voting power. While the overall momentum leans toward 김 후보, the full picture remains unclear due to numerous undecided voters. A local legislator noted, "The weight of 김 후보's support is limited due to the small proportion of 권리당원 (2.9% in 강원, 1.9% in 대구·경북) in the overall vote." 김 후보's team emphasized the "settling momentum" post-campaign, while 정 후보's camp highlighted the need for caution in the battleground of 인천 (42.08% 정청래, 47.75% 김민석).

The 후보들 now turn their focus to the upcoming '슈퍼 위크' (Saturday). Depending on 호남's and 서울·경기's outcomes (33% and 38% of party members, respectively), the overall momentum could shift. Both 후보 teams are adjusting their messages, with 김 후보 focusing on '화합' (unification), while 정 후보 accuses his rival of betrayal and emphasizes loyalty to the party, President 이재명, and the nation.