Kim Min-seok ekes out first win in Chungcheong primaries

In the first official party member vote of the Democratic Party’s Chungcheong regional tour to select its next leadership, candidate Kim Min-seok clinched the top spot by narrowly defeating candidate Jung Cheong-rae by a razor-thin margin of 0.44 percentage points. Held on August 1, 2026, this vote garnered early attention as a close three-way race, with all candidates securing approval ratings in the low 40s. Candidates engaged in various regional campaigns and policy debates in a bid for victory.

During the joint rally, candidate Kim Min-seok emphasized party-government unity, while candidates Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok targeted Jung Cheong-rai by citing the defeat in the June 3 local elections. Jung counterattacked by mentioning his rivals' history of leaving the party, resulting in a sharp exchange of verbal jabs.

In the Supreme Council race, candidate Choi Min-hee, considered a pro-Jung Cheong-rai figure, took first place in the Chungcheong region, hinting at a potential shift in support among the factions.

The Democratic Party will continue its second round of regional primaries in the Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang regions on August 2.