Song Young-gil and Jung Cheong-rae, heated exchanges amid the party leadership race

7/14/2026

The Democratic Party's leadership race, public clashes and escalating tensions between Song Young-gil and Jung Cheong-rae Take a look at the primary election landscape and the variable of the preferential voting system at a glance

Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Song Younggil, who is running for the party leadership, and former party leader Jeong Cheongrae clashed publicly on the 14th, exchanging harsh remarks. At a meeting with the Federation of Honam Associations in Yongsangu, Seoul, and in a radio interview, Rep. Song criticized the conflict between President Lee Jaemyung and the party leader, arguing that the party and the government should join forces to support state affairs. He also heightened his criticism by citing former leader Jeong’s past remarks, history of leaving the party, and the nomination process for local elections. Former leader Jeong strongly pushed back against Rep. Song’s remarks on his social media account (SNS). Referring to Song’s statement about running in the party convention as if it were a matter of life and death, he shot back, “It’s chilling and frightening.” At its supreme council meeting on the day, the Democratic Party leadership decided to amend party rules so that preferential voting can be introduced for the party leader race at the August 17 party convention. This exchange shows that, as the race for party leadership gains momentum, factional conflict within the party and the shape of the primary are becoming clearer.