South Korea's Democratic Party to Choose Presidential Candidate Through Member Votes and Public Poll
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Synopsis
On April 12, the South Korea's Democratic Party announced its plan to select a presidential candidate via a combination of member votes and public polling. This marks a significant change as younger members can now participate. The election is scheduled for June 3, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Key Takeaways
- Democratic Party of South Korea is selecting its presidential candidate.
- The selection process involves votes from members and a public poll.
- For the first time, members aged 16-18 can vote.
- Primaries will occur across four regions.
- The election is set for June 3, 2023.
Seoul, April 12 (NationPress) The Democratic Party of South Korea (DP) has opted to choose its presidential candidate through an equal division of votes from dues-paying members and a public poll, as announced by its election preparation committee on Saturday.
For the first time, party members aged 16-18 will be eligible to vote, following a 2022 amendment to the Political Parties Act that reduced the minimum age for party membership from 18 to 16.
Primaries are set to take place across four regions—Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and the greater Seoul area—with specific dates yet to be disclosed.
The public poll aims to gather opinions from 1 million individuals through two survey firms, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
The committee will confirm the decision after a complete party vote on Monday, followed by an online vote from its central committee on Tuesday.
Earlier, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced he will not participate in the presidential election scheduled for June 3, expressing regret over the “failure” of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration.
Oh made this revelation at the headquarters of the conservative People Power Party in western Seoul, contrary to expectations that he would enter the race after Yoon's dismissal due to a failed martial law initiative in December.
“To return the abnormal to normal, I will serve as the priming water, akin to a soldier without rank,” he declared.
“I feel profound despair and immense responsibility for the impeachment of the president our party put forward.”
“I sincerely apologize for the disruption of state affairs and the significant letdown to our citizens,” he stated. “Every member of our party shares accountability for the shortcomings of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.”
He urged his party and potential presidential candidates to concentrate on progress and supporting the disadvantaged, promising to aid efforts in forming a new government with like-minded individuals, as reported by Yonhap.
A number of conservative politicians have declared their candidacies for the forthcoming election, including former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon.
Simultaneously, the South Korean government has designated June 3 as the date for the next presidential election following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
This decision was made at a Cabinet meeting just four days after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment due to his brief attempt to impose martial law in December.
According to the Constitution, a new election must occur within 60 days after a presidential vacancy arises.
The government has also established June 3 as a temporary public holiday.
The National Election Commission commenced early candidate registration right after the Constitutional Court dismissed Yoon last Friday.
