The three candidates for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's leadership race — from left, Jung Chung-rae, Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok — pose prior to their third debate hosted by broadcaster SBS in Seoul, Wednesday, ahead of a national convention on Aug. 17 to elect the party's new leader. Yonhap
Three candidates vying for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leadership made their final pitches in a televised debate Wednesday, reiterating their commitment to working for the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration just days before the party picks a new leader.
The DPK is set to hold a national convention Monday to elect its new chair, who will play a key role in overseeing the nomination of candidates for the parliamentary elections in April 2028.
The race has largely been a competition between former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, considered a key political ally of Lee, and former DPK leader Jung Chung-rae, who has faced criticism from some party members for focusing on appealing to his own hard-line supporters than on fully backing the president.
Kim vowed to unite the DPK and lead the party to secure a win in the next general elections.
