Ruling DP set to elect new leader

The Democratic Party (DP) in South Korea is set to elect a new leader at its national convention on Monday, a decision that will likely impact its relationship with President Lee Jae Myung and its approach for the upcoming 2028 parliamentary elections. Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok currently leads with 49.91 percent of votes from regional primaries, while Rep. Jung Chung-rae follows with 41.51 percent.

Song Young-gil trails with 8.58 percent. However, only the results from dues-paying party members will be disclosed until the national convention. For the first time, a one-person, one-vote system will determine the outcome, where votes from party delegates and dues-paying members constitute 70 percent of the final tally, with the general public's votes accounting for the remaining 30 percent.

The newly elected leader will steer the party towards the 2028 parliamentary elections, play a crucial part in selecting candidates, and significantly influence the execution of President Lee's legislative agenda. Currently, the DP holds 161 seats out of 299 in the National Assembly, enabling it to pass legislation without needing opposition support.

The result of the 2028 parliamentary elections may dictate the extent of President Lee's legislative influence during his remaining two-year term, which concludes in 2030.