6 contenders confirmed for ruling party’s primary

Jul 12, 2021, 09:09 am

		0
Presidential contenders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) pose for a photo before a televised debate in Seoul on July 8, 2021. From right are former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung, South Chungcheong Gov. Yang Seung-jo, lawmaker Park Yong-jin, former party chief Lee Nak-yon, former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, lawmaker Kim Doo-gwan and Gangwon Gov. Choi Moon-soon./ Source: National Assembly Photographers

AsiaToday reporter Jeong Geum-min

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced Sunday the top six candidates to run in its presidential primary. They include Choo Mi-ae, Lee Jae-myung, Chung Sye-kyun, Lee Nak-yon, Park Yong-jin, and Kim Doo-gwan. The other two candidates, Yang Seung-jo and Choi Moon-soon, have been eliminated. The party plans to pick its presidential candidate on September 5.

Lee Sang-min, chairman of the DP’s Central Party Election Administration Committee, announced the result of a three-day preliminary primary involving a 50:50 survey of the general public and party members. However, the rankings of the candidates and the number of votes received by each contender were not disclosed.

As the final list for the main primary has been revealed, observers say that the existing structure of Lee Jae-myung against anti-Lee Jae-myung will become clearer.

This is because Gyeonggi Province governor Lee Jae-myung is the leading presidential hopeful of the ruling bloc, a runoff voting is inevitable if no one scores a majority vote. Therefore, the other runner competing for second place believe it is possible to overturn if they gather their forces to form “anti-Lee Jae-myung” solidarity.

Another point to watch is the introduction of the so-called “Super Week” system in the main primary and announcing the results of the votes in three rounds. The first electoral college will vote from Aug. 11-15 and the votes will be counted on August 15. The second electoral college will cast their ballots from Aug. 25-29 and announce the result on the last day of their voting while the third electoral college will vote from Sept. 1-5 and count their ballots on the last day of the voting.

Each camp of the candidates believes that the primary result can change depending on the results of the first announcement on August 15. Lawmaker Kim Byung-wook, who supports Lee Jae-myung, sent text messages to the public asking them to apply for the National Election Commission and vote for Lee.

Yoon Young-chan, director of political affairs at the Lee Nak-yon camp, appealed to the public so that Lee can become a presidential candidate of the party, calling for the public to join the electoral college.

Lee Won-wook, an aide to Chung Sye-kyun, said, “With Chung Sye-kyun, we will end a country of division and conflict to make a strong nation with united people. Please encourage your acquaintances to join the electoral college.”

As the recruitment of electoral groups in each camp has become more active, the number of electors surpassed 600,000 as of July 10.

#Democratic Party #Choo Mi-ae #Lee Jae-myung #Chung Sye-kyun #Lee Nak-yon