Honam primary becomes the biggest battleground in the Democratic Party convention race... Kim Min-seok and Jung Chung-rae in a razor-thin contest

[Financial News] The regional primary for the Aug. 17 convention to choose the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea is heading to Honam, the race's biggest battleground. With about 33% of all voting party members concentrated in Honam, the region's support has emerged as a key factor that could decide the final outcome between Kim Min-seok and Jung Chung-rae, who are currently locked in a very close race.
On the 15th, the party will hold joint speeches and voting by eligible party members in South Jeolla Province, Gwangju and North Jeolla Province. That afternoon, joint campaign speeches will take place at the multi-purpose gymnasium of Naju Sports Park in South Jeolla Province and at Wonkwang University Culture and Sports Hall.
After the North Jeolla Province event, the results of the Honam voting by eligible party members are expected to be announced. The party held online voting on the 11th and 12th, followed by ARS voting on the 13th and 14th.
So far, in voting by eligible party members in South Chungcheong Province, North Chungcheong Province, Daejeon, Jeju Province, Incheon Metropolitan City, Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Gangwon State, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, Kim has led Jung by 1.48 percentage points, with a cumulative vote share of 46.01% to 44.53%. The weighted votes from South Gyeongsang Province, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province have not yet been reflected in the figures.
The two candidates have also begun competing in earnest to win over Honam voters.
Jung is highlighting the reform achievements he pushed during his term as party leader. He is also appealing to Honam party members by stressing that he did not leave the party despite being cut from the nomination process.
Kim is emphasizing that he is the right person to successfully push major projects in the Honam region. He is also seeking support by presenting a vision for regional development based on smooth cooperation between the party and the government.
Among the three candidates, Song, the only one from Honam, is hoping to stage a comeback on the back of local support. During the primary campaign period, he effectively stayed in Honam and carried out intensive campaigning. His cumulative vote share so far stands at 9.47%.
After wrapping up the Honam primary, the Democratic Party of Korea will continue its joint speeches and regional primaries in the Capital Region and Seoul on the 16th. The Capital Region is also home to a large concentration of eligible party members, so it is expected to have a significant impact on the final race.
[email protected] Hong Ye-ji Reporter