Infighting flares up over 'double standards' in DP's leadership race

The Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership race has erupted into bitter infighting over allegations of double standards in its candidate selection process. On Friday, the party’s Supreme Council approved the registration of two contenders, Rep. Song Young-gil and Kim Yong, for key positions in the upcoming August 17 convention, despite both failing to meet basic eligibility criteria. The move has sparked outrage among some members, who accuse the party of prioritizing political favor over fair rules. The controversy centers on Song and Kim’s inability to satisfy the requirement of being active party members for at least six months prior to candidate registration. Song, a six-term lawmaker, left the party in 2023 after being implicated in corruption charges related to illegal political funding and bribery. He returned in February 2025 following his acquittal on those charges and subsequently won a by-election in June. His campaign for the party leadership has drawn attention, particularly after he claimed that his exclusion from the party earlier stemmed from “prosecutorial power abuse.” Kim, a former aide to President Lee Jae Myung, faces similar challenges. His personal bank account was frozen during the past year due to legal proceedings tied to his alleged involvement in illegal fundraising for Lee in 2022. Although he was initially sentenced to five years in prison, his conviction was later appealed to the Supreme Court. Released on parole in August 2025, Kim has since resumed political activity, including running for a position on the party’s Supreme Council. Both Song and Kim argued that their inability to meet the membership criteria was a direct result of unjust legal actions against them. During a public address before the Supreme Council, Song stated that the party’s current stance was effectively “putting a brake on our candidacy” due to the “prosecution's political persecution.” Kim echoed these sentiments, asserting that the party’s internal rules were being manipulated to shield individuals from accountability. Not all party members have endorsed this interpretation. Rep. Park Ji-won, a rival candidate, expressed deep disappointment after attending a recent Supreme Council meeting. He noted that the party had recently modified its voting system to implement a preferential model, which critics argue favors specific candidates. Park accused the council of approving exceptions “on the last day of candidate registration,” suggesting the decision was politically motivated. Kim Bo-mi, another contender, took a more pointed stance, accusing the party of inconsistency. She cited a 2022 incident involving Park Ji-hyun, a former co-interim leader of the Democratic Party’s emergency committee. At that time, Park was denied candidacy due to her lack of party membership for six months. Despite her efforts to convene a Supreme Council meeting to challenge the ruling, her request was dismissed. Kim Bo-mi called the current situation a clear example of double standards, urging the party to uphold fairness and transparency. The debate has intensified with calls for greater scrutiny of the party’s internal processes. Some members believe the current approach undermines the integrity of the leadership race, while others see it as a necessary compromise given the unique circumstances of each candidate. As the August convention approaches, tensions are likely to escalate, with further developments expected in the coming weeks.