Interest is focusing on who will become the first party leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, which has become the dominant ruling party since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
On the 5th, the Democratic Party held a supreme council meeting where it approved the formation of the National Convention Preparation Committee. Lee Chun-seok, a four-term lawmaker, was appointed as the chair of the committee.
The current party leader will serve for one year as this term is to complete the remaining term of the immediate past leader, President Lee Jae-myung. Nevertheless, this person is drawing attention as the first leader of the ruling party since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, highlighting the expectation of closely working with the presidential office.
The leading candidates for the next party leader are Jung Cheong-rae, a four-term lawmaker, and Park Chan-dae, a three-term floor leader.
Representative Jung served as the senior supreme council member and the chair of the Committee on Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications in Lee Jae-myung's first leadership team, and later took over as the chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee. As chair, Jung led initiatives such as the hearings on the 'Impeachment petition for President Yoon Seok-youl,' the 'Eom Hee-jun and Kang Baek-shin prosecutor hearings,' and passed legislation like the 'Insurrection Special Prosecution Act' and the 'Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecution Act' through the committee.
Park, the current acting leader, is also a strong candidate. As a prominent figure in the 'Pro-Lee Jae-myung' faction, Park was essentially appointed as floor leader last year with overwhelming support from the faction. Park coordinated parliamentary strategies during significant phases such as the martial law situation and the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl, closely aligning with the then-leader, President Lee.
In this national convention, a by-election will address the vacancy of Kim Min-seok, the supreme council member designated as prime minister. Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae stated, "Kim will resign," adding that "an election will be held for both the party leader and one supreme council member."
The national convention, which was originally likely to be held in August considering the preparation period and precedents, may be advanced. This is due to the growing opinion within and outside the party that a prolonged leadership vacancy could hinder crucial early-stage cooperation with the presidential office.
However, discussions on the specific timing of the next national convention are expected to intensify after the floor leader election on the 13th.