Democratic Party Discusses Leader Election Reform but Fails to Reach Conclusion

The Democratic Party Supreme Council failed to narrow differences regarding the introduction of 'ranked-choice voting' for the August 17 party convention leadership election and could not reach a conclusion. The Supreme Council cancelled a late-night meeting on the 10th, and as of the 11th and 12th, has yet to conclude related discussions or reach a resolution.

The Party Convention Preparation Committee (Preparatory Committee) held its 4th plenary meeting on the previous day, the 9th, and voted to maintain the ranked-choice voting system and to elect the youth Supreme Council member separately, requesting that the party Supreme Council respect this decision.

The core issue surrounding this election method is whether it violates the party constitution and rules. Discussions ensued after former leader Jeong Cheong-rae’s camp raised the possibility of violations. However, internal party conflict is intensifying, with candidate Kim Min-seok and pro-Lee (pro-Moon) lawmakers pressuring others to accept the Preparatory Committee’s decision.