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Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who has effectively thrown his hat in the ring as a representative of the Honam region for the party's Supreme Council membership, is struggling to gain traction.

As the schedule for the provincial party conventions, held ahead of the Democratic Party's national party member convention on August 18, approaches its midpoint, Min remains at the bottom of the rankings, drawing attention to whether a turnaround card will emerge at next week's Honam regional provincial party conventions.

Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae.

According to the Democratic Party of Korea on the 28th, provincial party conventions have been held every Saturday and Sunday by region since the 20th. These are regional primaries to elect one party leader and five Supreme Council members.

Starting with Jeju and Incheon on the 20th, followed by Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daegu on the 21st, Ulsan, Busan, and Gyeongnam on the 27th, and Chungnam and Chungbuk on the 28th, the conventions have been completed.

Among the eight candidates competing for the five Supreme Council seats, the only non-incumbent candidate, Jeong Bong-ju, is leading with a cumulative vote share of 19.03%. Following him are Kim Min-seok (17.16%), Kim Byung-joo (14.31%), Jeon Hyun-hee (13.2%), and Lee Eon-ju (12.15%), who are currently in the winning zone.

Trailing behind are Han Jun-ho (12.06%), Kang Seon-woo (6.1%), and Min Hyung-bae (5.99%) in that order.

Min Hyung-bae entered the Supreme Council race to restore the prestige of Honam politics but has so far failed to rise above last place. With Lee Sung-yoon, a National Assembly member from Jeonbuk, cut off in the first round of the Supreme Council election, Min has become the sole candidate from the Honam region, but it appears difficult for him to make it into the top five.

Since Honam, Seoul, and Gyeonggi?regions with many party members and considered the main battlegrounds?are yet to hold their conventions, there is some consolation. However, local political circles express a desperate view that if no notable turnaround occurs at next week's Honam provincial party conventions, the outlook will be bleak.

In fact, Min’s camp is reportedly focusing all efforts on boosting vote shares in his home base of Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk to secure a winning position.

If Min fails to enter the Supreme Council as an elected member in this party convention, it will not simply be a matter of "losing the Supreme Council election," but is expected to deal a significant blow to his future political trajectory.

Since the 21st National Assembly, no Honam politicians?including those from Jeonbuk, such as one candidate, or from Jeonnam’s Seo Sam-seok and Gwangju’s Song Gap-seok?have succeeded in becoming elected Supreme Council members. If Min loses again this time, it will mark the fourth consecutive defeat.

Local residents are also viewing this situation with a critical eye.

One citizen said, "Opinions about the individual lawmaker may vary, but at this point, when the political status of Honam is continuously declining, I believe at least one Supreme Council member from the Democratic Party should come from Honam." He added, "Except for Min, all Gwangju lawmakers are first-termers, so there are limitations, but they should not just focus on their own politics and instead unite in times like this."

A local political figure commented, "One reason Min is struggling appears to be issues surrounding the Gwangju City Party Committee Chair election," adding, "That is why next weekend’s Honam provincial party conventions are drawing attention."

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