Seoul: Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung, who has prioritized economic recovery and diplomatic engagement with North Korea, has been selected as the party's presidential nominee, securing a commanding 89.77 percent of the votes in the party's primary. This victory positions him as the leading candidate for the upcoming June 3 presidential election.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's overwhelming primary win marks the highest percentage ever achieved by a DP-affiliated candidate since South Korea's transition to complete democracy in 1987. This is Lee's second nomination as the party's presidential candidate, following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. With just over a month until the election, Lee has pledged to create a "completely new country" and a "true Republic of Korea," emphasizing national unity as the cornerstone of his political mission.
In his acceptance speech, Lee expressed his gratitude for the unprecedented support, interpreting it as a public mandate to advance democracy, human rights, and economic recovery. He declared his candidacy as a unifying force for all citizens, aiming to overcome national turmoil and foster unity and happiness. Lee's focus on unity was underscored by his repeated mentions of the term during his speech, promising to move beyond an era marked by inequality and conflict towards one of hope and cohesion.
The primary results saw Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon in second place with 6.87 percent, followed by former South Gyeongsang Province governor Kim Kyung-soo with 3.36 percent. Lee's previous presidential bid in 2022 ended in a narrow defeat to Yoon Suk Yeol by just 0.73 percentage points.
Lee's campaign has shifted from traditional liberal platforms towards an emphasis on economic growth and pragmatism, touching on advanced technology and artificial intelligence. He has distanced himself from the DP's pro-labor stance to appeal to conservative and centrist voters, and has expressed openness to dialogue with North Korea. On foreign policy, Lee has stressed the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan, while prioritizing South Korea's national interests.
Despite being embroiled in several scandals, including a land development controversy in Seongnam, Lee has maintained a lead in early opinion polls. A recent Gallup Korea poll shows Lee with 38 percent support, ahead of Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, at 8 percent, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo at 7 percent.