Lee Jae-myung Dominates in Democratic Party Primaries in Busan and Ulsan

BUSAN — Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), achieved significant victories in the party leadership primaries held in the southeastern cities of Busan and Ulsan on Saturday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee captured an overwhelming 92.08 percent of the vote in Busan, significantly ahead of his closest competitor, former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan, who received 7.04 percent. The primary in Ulsan also saw a strong showing for Lee, where he garnered 90.56 percent support. These victories are part of his campaign to secure a second term as party leader, following his resignation in June in compliance with party rules that require a sitting leader to step down to run for re-election.

The Democratic Party is currently conducting a series of 15 primaries nationwide, with the outcomes influencing the selection of the new leader at a national convention scheduled for August 18. Despite being implicated in various scandals, including a controversial land development project in Seongnam, Lee is widely viewed as the frontrunner for re-election and a strong contender for the presidential election in 2027.