Former leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Lee Jae-myung, emerged victorious in a primary on Jeju Island as he vies for a second term as party leader. Lee had resigned in June to run for reelection, adhering to the party's rule requiring the chair to step down to be eligible as a candidate. During the primary, the first of 15 legs across the country, Lee secured 82.5 percent of the votes from registered party members on the island, followed by former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan with 15.01 percent and another candidate Kim Ji-soo at 2.49 percent. The DP is set to elect a new leader during a national convention on Aug. 18, factoring in the primary results, a survey of the general public, and online polls by party representatives. Despite being embroiled in various scandals, Lee is widely anticipated to win his second term and is seen as a leading candidate for the liberal party in the 2027 presidential election. Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the DP, emerged victorious in a primary on Jeju Island as he seeks a second term as party leader. He had resigned in June to run for reelection, adhering to the party's rule requiring the chair to step down to be eligible as a candidate. During the primary, the first of 15 legs across the country, Lee secured 82.5 percent of the votes from registered party members on the island, followed by former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan with 15.01 percent and another candidate Kim Ji-soo at 2.49 percent. The DP is set to elect a new leader during a national convention on Aug. 18, factoring in the primary results, a survey of the general public, and online polls by party representatives. Despite being embroiled in various scandals, Lee is widely anticipated to win his second term and is seen as a leading candidate for the liberal party in the 2027 presidential election.