From left, the Democratic Party of Korea's leadership candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil raise their fists at Naju Sports Park in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Saturday, during a Gwangju-Jeolla joint rally for electing the party's leader and Supreme Council members. Yonhap
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok won the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) primaries in Gwangju and Jeolla Province on Saturday, outpacing his two rivals in the party's leadership race.
Kim garnered a combined 57.54 percent of the votes from Gwangju and North and South Jeolla provinces, beating Jung Chung-rae, who is seeking a second consecutive term as DPK leader, with 32.65 percent.
Song Young-gil, a former DPK leader, came in third with 9.81 percent.
Kim's victory Saturday allowed him to maintain his lead in the leadership race ahead of the party congress Monday, where the new leader will be elected.
