Ruling party changes leadership vote rule amid infighting

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea finalized a controversial change to its leadership election rules on Tuesday, adopting a ranked-choice voting system ahead of its August 17 national convention. The shift, which allows voters to rank candidates rather than select just one, marks a pivotal moment in the party’s internal politics, with tensions flaring over the reform’s implications for the upcoming leadership race. The decision came after weeks of intense deliberation within the party’s supreme council, culminating in a decisive vote that cleared the way for the new method. According to the party’s senior spokesperson, Rep. Kang Jun-hyeon, the revised internal regulations were formally approved, confirming the implementation of the ranked-choice voting system. This change was made possible following a series of closed-door meetings, the latest of which concluded early Tuesday morning. The final approval was given later that day, setting the stage for the August convention. At the heart of the dispute lies a deep divide between factions supporting Rep. Jung Chung-rae’s bid for party chair and those backing President Lee Jae Myung. Proponents of the new voting method argue that it streamlines the selection process by eliminating the need for a separate runoff election, a feature President Lee introduced during his tenure as party leader. Under the current system, if no candidate secures a majority, the top two contenders face a runoff. However, the new approach enables voters to rank candidates, ensuring that even if no one reaches the required threshold, votes can be redistributed based on preferences. The change has sparked backlash from some within the party, particularly among members of the pro-Jung faction. Rep. Lee Sung-yoon, a prominent figure in this group, resigned from his position as a supreme council member, citing frustration over the decision. He described the situation as akin to being “trapped in the corner” during a boxing match, indicating his belief that the outcome was predetermined. Similarly, other pro-Jung members, including Park Kyu-hwan, acknowledged the change while expressing reservations about its validity, calling the push for ranked-choice voting “absurd.” In contrast, representatives from the pro-Lee faction, such as Rep. Kang Deuk-gu and Rep. Hwang Myeong-seon, argued that the reform aligns with existing party regulations and is necessary for modernizing the electoral process. Kang Deuk-gu suggested that the debate over the voting method was influenced by political maneuvering, noting that the convention preparatory committee had already determined that ranked-choice voting does not conflict with party rules. Hwang Myeong-seon added that opposing the method, especially one introduced by President Lee, seemed contradictory. Support for the new system has also come from key allies of President Lee, including Rep. Kim Min-seok, a former prime minister under the Lee administration. His endorsement underscores the broader alignment between the pro-Lee faction and the proposed reforms. Meanwhile, Rep. Jung Chung-rae, though critical of the change, publicly stated on his Facebook page that he respects the party’s decision and will remain silent on the matter, signaling a strategic retreat from direct confrontation. With the party set to begin its candidate registration process on Thursday and Friday, the focus shifts toward the August convention, where the new voting method will determine the fate of both the party chair and several supreme council positions. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this reform will likely shape the trajectory of the Democratic Party for months to come.