JEJU ISLAND – Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party (DP), secured a commanding victory in the Jeju Island primary on Saturday, marking a significant step towards his aim of obtaining a second term as party leader.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee won 82.5 percent of the votes in the Jeju primary, the first event in a 15-leg race spanning the nation. He was followed by former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan with 15.01 percent, and Kim Ji-soo, who garnered 2.49 percent of the vote. The DP plans to elect a new leader at their national convention on August 18, taking into account the results of the primaries, a survey of the general public, and online polls by party representatives.
Lee’s strong performance in the primary underscores his prominence within the party as he is considered the frontrunner for the next presidential election in 2027. His political career has been marred by controversies, including a significant scandal related to land development. Additionally, earlier this year, Lee was the victim of a stabbing incident in Busan, highlighting the intense pressures of his political career.