Rep. Kim Min-seok became leader of South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea after defeating former chair Rep. Jung Chung-rae at its national convention in Daejeon, according to an account dated August 17, 2026.

Kim, a four-term lawmaker and former prime minister, received 54.08 percent of the combined vote, while Jung took 45.92 percent. The outcome was determined through ranked-choice voting, with second preferences from ballots initially cast for eliminated candidate Rep. Song Young-gil incorporated into the final tally. Song was regarded as an ally of Kim.

The result gave Kim an immediately effective two-year term. If he serves the full period, he is expected to have a leading role in the party’s campaign for the general election scheduled in 2028.

Voting combined several elements. More than 1.52 million dues-paying members were eligible to participate during a three-week period ending the previous Sunday, with turnout of 50.35 percent. More than 17,000 party delegates could cast ballots on the convention’s final day, and their turnout reached 80.98 percent. A public-opinion poll was also included in the result.

Kim’s election was expected to reinforce President Lee Jae Myung’s position within the party and could reduce strains that had periodically emerged between the party and Cheong Wa Dae under Jung’s leadership. Kim said in his acceptance speech that he wanted a relationship in which the party supported the presidential office while remaining “creatively horizontal.” He also pledged to embrace his competitors following the three-way contest.

Mixed factions on the Supreme Council

Kim was positioned to hold majority influence over the party’s nine-member Supreme Council. The body comprises the chair, the floor leader, five elected members and two people appointed by the chair.

The elected results nevertheless preserved representation for Jung’s faction. Rep. Choi Min-hee led the council vote with 18.35 percent, making her its senior elected member. Reps. Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-soo, also aligned with Jung, won seats with 16.30 percent and 15.86 percent respectively.

From the camp aligned with Lee, Reps. Park Sun-won and Seo Mi-hwa secured places with 17.57 percent and 16.60 percent. Kim Yong, a longtime aide to the president, missed election with 15.26 percent. Two other pro-Lee candidates, Reps. Kim Young-ho and Lim Mi-ae, had withdrawn the previous night and encouraged support for the remaining presidential allies.

After losing, Jung apologized to his supporters. Kim then left for Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province to meet residents affected by deadly torrential rain. Presidential chief spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee planned to host Kim, Jung and Song at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday for a dinner intended to strengthen cooperation between the party and the administration.