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

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok secured victory in the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) primaries in Gwangju and Jeolla Province on Saturday. He claimed a commanding 57.54 percent of the votes from these two regions, surpassing Jung Chung-rae, his rival in the party's leadership race, who garnered 32.65 percent. Song Young-gil, a former DPK leader, rounded out the top three with 9.81 percent.

This win allows Kim to maintain his lead in the leadership race as the party congress approaches on Monday, where the new leader will be elected. The new leader is expected to play a crucial role in the nomination of candidates for the upcoming April 2028 parliamentary elections. Kim currently leads the race with 52.21 percent of the cumulative votes, followed by Jung with 38.14 percent.

The DPK has secured five out of six regional primary rounds thus far. The final primary, set to take place on Sunday, will be held in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Kim has won four rounds so far - the central Chungcheong region; Incheon and Jeju Island; Gangwon Province, Daegu.