Ex-DP chief wins victory in party leadership primary in Jeolla province

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), won additional primaries in North Jeolla Province on Saturday as he seeks to secure a second term. During the primary in North Jeolla Province, Lee won 84.79 percent of the combined ballots cast by registered party members, followed by former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan with 13.32 percent. The DP has held 10 primaries, including the latest one in North Jeolla Province, out of its 15-leg race across the country. Lee secured 90.41 percent of the accumulated votes in the previous nine primaries. The party is scheduled to elect a new leader during a national convention on Aug. 18, based on the results of the primaries, a survey of the general public and online polls by party representatives. Lee is widely expected to win a second term and is considered a leading candidate for the liberal party in the next presidential election in 2027, though he is at the heart of several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seong nam, south of Seoul. Source: Yonhap News Agency