In front of the Daejeon Convention Center, where the Aug. 17 party convention to elect the new leader of the Democratic Party of Korea was being held, supporters from the pro-Myung (pro Lee Jae-myung) camp and the pro-Cheong (pro Jung Chung-rae) camp crowded the area. At this convention, one party leader who will lead the Democratic Party for the next two years and five supreme council members will be decided.

Supporters hold placards for candidates Kim Min-seok and Jung Chung-rae ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea 3rd Regular National Party Members' Convention at Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) in the afternoon on the 17th. /Courtesy of Daejeon=Song Bok-gyu, Reporter

At 12:30 p.m. on the 17th, one hour before the Democratic Party's 3rd regular national convention of party members, the area in front of the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) was already packed with Democratic Party supporters. Despite the rainy, inclement weather, supporters waiting for the new leader of the ruling party were passionate.

The area in front of DCC Exhibition Hall 2, where the convention was being held, belonged to pro-Myung supporters. Pro-Myung supporters held placards for candidates Kim Min-seok, Song Young-gil, Park Sun-won, Kim Yong and Seo Mi-hwa, chanting each candidate's name. With Kim Min-seok currently leading in the disclosed votes of dues-paying party members, supporters beat gongs and blew vuvuzelas, heightening the festive mood.

In front of Daejeon Convention Center (DCC), where the Democratic Party of Korea 3rd Regular National Party Members' Convention is held in the afternoon on the 17th. /Courtesy of Daejeon=Song Bok-gyu, Reporter

Pro-Cheong supporters were staging their cheering rally in front of Exhibition Hall 1 across the street from Hall 2. Holding placards reading "Aljeongjjik (Got it, I'll vote for Jung Chung-rae)," pro-Cheong supporters danced to lift spirits. Placards also bore the phrase "People should have loyalty," which candidate Jung Chung-rae mentioned several times during the primary.

There was also a subtle war of nerves between the pro-Myung and pro-Cheong camps. A party member who appeared to support candidate Kim held Kim's placard beside a group of supporters for candidate Jung. Pro-Myung supporters also wore tops labeled "Team Lee Jae-myung" to counter "Team Jung Chung-rae," promoted by candidates Choi Min-hee, Lee Seong-yun and Han Min-su. However, no scuffles broke out among supporters.

Supporters cheer for candidate Kim Yong ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea 3rd Regular National Party Members' Convention at Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) in the afternoon on the 17th. /Courtesy of Daejeon=Song Bok-gyu, Reporter

So far, the cumulative vote share without reflecting strategic regional weightings has Kim at 49.91% in the lead. Jung is at 41.41%, and Song Young-gil is at 8.58%. The gap between Kim and Jung is 54,567 votes, or 8.40 percentage points (p).

At the convention, delegate votes and a public opinion poll will be combined. The convention rules are 70% delegates and dues-paying members, and 30% public opinion poll. It is also the first convention to apply the "one person, one vote" system introduced under the "Jung Chung-rae leadership." The terms of the party leader and supreme council members elected that day are two years.

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