Justice Party Leaders Kim Jong-cheol and Bae Jin-kyo in Final Vote... Who Will Be the New Party Leader?

Kim Jong-cheol and Bae Jin-gyo's Comeback Draws 'Reversal' Reviews
New Leadership Emerges to Outline 'Second Generation Progressive Politics' Blueprint

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The new leader of the Justice Party, who will lead the post-Sim Sang-jung era, will be decided through a runoff vote. Among the two candidates who advanced to the runoff, Kim Jong-chul and Bae Jin-gyo, the party leader who will lead the 'second generation of progressive politics' will be born.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Within the party, there are voices calling Kim's victory over Bae in this primary an upset. Bae, a former mayor of Namdong District in Incheon, is the only incumbent lawmaker among the candidates and resigned from his position as floor leader to run for party leader. He is supported by the Incheon Alliance (NL faction), the largest faction within the party. Considering the solid power base of the Incheon Alliance and Bae's recognition, the prevailing view inside the Justice Party was that Bae would win comfortably. This result is a reversal.

However, Kim's position within the party cannot be ignored. Having served as secretary to the late former lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan and former floor leader Yoon So-ha, as well as senior party spokesperson, he is supported by the party's left-wing and labor factions (PD faction), including former chairman Yang Kyung-gyu of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Federation. Kim is regarded as a figure who has significantly contributed to the history of progressive parties. He entered politics in 1999 as secretary to Kwon Young-gil, leader of the Construction People's Victory 21, and has continuously been active in predecessor parties of the Justice Party such as the Democratic Labor Party and the Progressive New Party.

The two candidates will begin their runoff campaigns on the 28th. The Justice Party will conduct online voting for five days starting next month on the 5th, announce the results on the 9th, and finally elect the party leader. Attention is focused on whether Kim will maintain his momentum and secure the party leader position or if Bae will stage a comeback in the runoff vote. The newly elected leadership faces the task of resolving internal party conflicts and strengthening the unique identity of the Justice Party, drawing a new blueprint for the 'second generation of progressive politics.'

In the vice-chairperson election, candidates Kim Yoon-ki (21.47%), Kim Eung-ho (19.12%), Bae Bok-joo (14.57%), Park In-sook (12.89%), and Song Chi-yong (12.69%) were elected. In the election for the preparatory committee chairperson of the Youth Justice Party, held exclusively for party members aged 35 and under, candidate Kang Min-jin was elected with 64.06% of the vote.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.