▲ Jung Chung-rae, former leader of the ruling Democratic Party, attends a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 13, 2026, announcing that he is seeking reelection in the party's leadership race scheduled for Aug. 17. (Yonhap)

ruling party-leadership race

Ex-DP leader Jung declares bid for reelection

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Former ruling Democratic Party (DP) leader Jung Chung-rae declared his bid for reelection on Monday, turning the leadership election into a five-way race.

Jung, who stepped down as leader last month in order to run for reelection, will compete against former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Reps. Song Young-gil and Ko Min-jung, and former Gangjin councilmember Kim Bo-mi in the Aug. 17 national convention.

"As I have done until now, I will stand by President Lee Jae Myung's side until the end by creating one team and one voice between the party, government and Cheong Wa Dae," Jung said at a press conference at the National Assembly.

"I will give up everything and devote myself wholeheartedly for the Lee Jae Myung administration's stable running of state affairs and for the ruling party to secure another term in office," he added.

Who becomes the next DP leader has been a key question as he or she will have powers to oversee the nomination of candidates for the April 2028 parliamentary elections.

Jung is a hard-liner who has been accused by some pro-Lee party members of playing to his own supporters rather than throwing his weight behind the president. Some have also raised suspicions that he is trying to run for president after strengthening his grip on the party.

Jung denied that was the case.

"I will not run for president using the office of party leader," he said.

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