The Democratic Party of Korea has approved a proposal to amend party rules to introduce a preference voting system during a closed Supreme Council meeting ahead of its convention in August. However, a proposal for a youth committee was ultimately rejected, intensifying tensions between the pro-Youth faction and the pro-Seok faction.
Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun stated to reporters after the meeting on the morning of July 14 that the party aimed to minimize controversies surrounding the selection of party leadership by revising its rules. He explained that the main content includes formalizing the methods for conducting preference voting and runoff voting.
However, Kang noted that the youth committee proposal was rejected during the meeting and will be referred back to the convention preparation committee for further discussion.
Following the Supreme Council's decisions, both factions have expressed their dissatisfaction, leading to heightened factional conflicts.
Former party leader Jung Cheong-rae took to Facebook, stating, "I have much to say but will refrain. I respect and accept the party's decision," while indirectly voicing his discontent by adding, "I will protect the Democratic Party, and now I ask party members to protect Jung Cheong-rae."
The pro-Youth faction also began to criticize the pro-Seok faction following the resignation of Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon. Lee stated, "I raised objections citing violations of party rules, but I cannot tolerate the lack of improvement," and announced his resignation from the Supreme Council. Fellow pro-Youth members Park Kyu-hwan and Kim Young-hwan also expressed their frustrations, with Park saying, "I feel endlessly frustrated and wronged," and Kim adding, "It is truly a shameful day for the Democratic Party, which claims to uphold democracy."
In contrast, the pro-Seok faction, including former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, intensified their criticism, claiming that the pro-Youth faction was responsible for the rejection of the youth committee proposal.
Kim expressed disappointment that the introduction of the youth committee was thwarted due to opposition from specific candidates, stating, "If I become party leader, I will allocate one seat for a youth member among the appointed Supreme Council members and select them through a celebratory election method."
Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun commented after the meeting, questioning, "The preference voting system was decided during Lee Jae-myung's leadership in 2025. Are we saying it was right then but wrong now?" He argued that the youth committee proposal represents an investment in the future of the Democratic Party and reflects the spirit of the times.
Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu criticized Jung, saying, "While he claims to care about the lives of young people, he continues to use them as consumables in politics. We must respond to the call of the times to make youth the main agents of Democratic Party politics. Party members will surely judge those Supreme Council members who are solely focused on seizing party power alongside Jung."
Additionally, both Song Young-gil and Ko Min-jeong, who are also vying for party leadership, voiced their concerns over the rejection of the Supreme Council proposal.
During a meeting with lawmakers on the morning of July 14, Song directed criticism at the pro-Youth faction, stating, "The preference voting system is something President Yoon himself has endorsed. There is no reason to oppose it." He expressed regret over the rejection of the youth committee proposal.
Ko also took to Facebook, stating, "The elected youth committee member was proposed as a starting point for the Democratic Party to engage with young people. They have kicked away the alternative they themselves proposed for a handful of power. The future of youth and the daily lives of the people must be at the center of Democratic Party politics."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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