DP leader Jung Chung-rae resigns to seek re-election as party chief

Leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) Jung Chung-rae announced his resignation Wednesday in a move widely seen as a bid to run for re-election for the same position at the party's convention in August. 

"Today is my last Supreme Council meeting," Jung said at the opening session of the council. "I am stepping down as party leader." He added that he had "spent several sleepless nights wrestling with this decision."

Floor leader Han Byung-do is set to serve as the acting party leader until the convention.

Under Korean party rules, Jung must formally resign from the leadership post before he can register as a candidate to run for the position again at the national convention.

Jung was elected in a by-election held last August following the snap presidential election, and has led the party for approximately 11 months.

The upcoming convention on Aug. 17 is shaping up to be a three-way race between Jung, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former party leader Song Young-gil. Political observers say Kim and Song may ally against Jung, setting up a contest between pro-Jung factions and nonincumbent forces aligned with President Lee Jae Myung within the party.

The new party leader elected at the August convention will serve a two-year term and hold authority to nominate candidates for the 2028 general election.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]