Ex-DP leader Lee scores another big win in southwestern region’s presidential primary

SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) — Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung scored another sweeping victory Saturday in his race for the candidacy in the upcoming June 3 presidential election, winning the primary in the country’s southwestern region.
Lee won 88.69 percent of the votes in the DP’s primary in the city of Gwangju, and the North and South Jeolla provinces, according to party officials.
Lee is considered a strong presidential contender for the liberal party. He has been taking the lead in recent opinion polls.
His latest win follows his overwhelming victories in the central Chungcheong and southeastern Gyeongsang primaries.
The Jeolla regions, also known as the Honam regions, are considered a DP stronghold.
Far behind Lee was Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, who gained 7.41 percent, followed by former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyung-soo with 3.90 percent.

Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung makes a speech during the Honam region primary to pick the DP contender for the June 3 presidential election, in the southwestern city of Gwangju, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul, in this photo taken April 26, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
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