In the Democratic Party of Korea's by-election for supreme council members, lawmakers Kang Deuk-gu, Lee Sung-yoon and Moon Jeong-bok were elected. With two members from the party leadership faction, which has emphasized rallying around leader Jung Chung-rae, and one from the non-leadership faction, which has stressed communication with President Lee Jae-myung, Jung is expected to gain strength.
The Democratic Party held the by-election for supreme council members on the afternoon of the 11th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. In this by-election, the final candidates were lawmakers Lee Sung-yoon and Moon Jeong-bok, viewed as pro-Jung Chung-rae and leadership-faction contenders, and Kang Deuk-gu and Lee Geon-tae, seen as pro–Lee Jae-myung and non-leadership contenders.
In the vote, among the four candidates, lawmakers Kang Deuk-gu, Lee Sung-yoon and Moon Jeong-bok were elected. Kang won 17.14% in the Central Committee vote and 13.60% in the dues-paying party members' vote for a final total of 30.74%, finishing first. Next, Lee Sung-yoon received 8.27% in the Central Committee vote and 16.45% in the dues-paying members' vote for a final total of 24.72%, placing second, and Moon Jeong-bok received 13.39% in the Central Committee vote and 10.56% in the dues-paying members' vote for a final total of 23.95%, placing third. Lee Geon-tae took 11.20% in the Central Committee vote and 9.39% in the dues-paying members' vote for a final total of 20.59%, finishing fourth and tasting defeat.
With two leadership-faction candidates and one non-leadership candidate elected among the three winners, Jung Chung-rae's leadership team is expected to be bolstered.
Kang Deuk-gu said, "We will unite around leader Jung Chung-rae to ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, settle the issue of insurrection, and win an overwhelming victory in the local elections," adding, "We competed and fought for a while, but we will unite under the Democratic Party's name and decisively win the local elections."
Lee Sung-yoon said, "During the campaign period, I met many party members across the country," adding, "I took to heart the call to become a unified ruling party–government–presidential office team and remake the Republic of Korea."
Moon Jeong-bok also said, "With the solid cohesion of Jung Chung-rae's leadership team, we will help ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."