Lee Jae-myung secures DP’s presidential nomination with landslide victory in party's primary

Shifting gears to the presidential primaries here in the country.

As widely expected, the Democratic Party’s front-runner Lee Jae-myung has secured his second presidential run as the party’s candidate for the 21st June presidential election.

Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

"Lee Jae-myung has been confirmed as the DP’s presidential nominee after winning 89-point-7-7 percent of the vote."

No surprises, as expected.

The Democratic Party wrapped up its presidential primaries on Sunday with a victory for former party leader Lee Jae-myung.

According to the DP, Lee won the votes of over 90 percent of party members and delegates, and over 89 percent in a public poll of one million people.

With both results weighted 50 percent each, he secured 89-point-7-7 percent of the total vote against his two opponents Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor, and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor.

It's the highest figure ever recorded in a presidential primary among DP-affiliated candidates.

Lee told reporters that overwhelming support comes with overwhelming responsibility, and he feels a heavy sense of duty.

Kim Dong-yeon came in second with 6-point-8-7 percent, followed by Kim Kyung-soo with 3-point-3-6 percent.

"Lee Jae-myung, who stayed as the front-runner throughout the primary, is now running for president as the Democratic Party's candidate for the second time, following his presidential bid in 2022."

In his acceptance speech, Lee blamed himself for losing in the last presidential election and vowed to win this time.

"The people and party members have given us a chance to build a new country, a true Republic of Korea. I will win and take back the government. I promise to build a new Korea, full of hope and energy, to repay your trust."

During his 2022 presidential campaign, Lee emphasized redistribution policies, but in his second run, he has shifted his focus to economic growth and a pragmatic approach to leading the country.

He also emphasized his focus on national unity.

Lee kicked off his first day as a presidential candidate with a visit to the Seoul National Cemetery on Monday morning and will later hold a meeting at SK hynix headquarters on AI memory semiconductors.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.