The Democratic Party of Korea held its second day of nationwide primary tour joint speeches in Ulsan on July 15 [1].
These events are critical for candidates to secure delegates and build momentum ahead of the party convention scheduled for Aug. 17 [3]. The tour serves as the primary mechanism for selecting the next leadership of the party.
The joint speech event in Ulsan began at 10:00 [2]. Han Byung-do, the acting party leader, oversaw the proceedings as candidates presented their visions for the party's future to local supporters [1].
While the event was described as successful, it was marked by sharp tensions between rivals. Candidate Kim Min-seok criticized opponents for engaging in outdated factional politics. He said he would file complaints with the ethics committee against those who turn the party leadership into a "kindergarten" [4].
The rhetoric escalated when Candidate Jung Chung-rae responded to the threat. Jung said he would likewise file a complaint with the ethics committee [5].
This clash highlights the internal friction within the party as it navigates the transition to new leadership. The Ulsan event represents the second stop [1] in a series of regional gatherings designed to gauge voter sentiment across the country before the final vote in August [3].
“The tour serves as the primary mechanism for selecting the next leadership of the party.”
The escalation of threats to use the party's ethics committee suggests that the race for leadership is shifting from policy-based competition to personal and factional warfare. With the Aug. 17 convention approaching, these public disputes in regional hubs like Ulsan indicate a volatile internal environment that may persist even after a new leader is selected.
