What's being decided

The convention forms the leadership that will steer the ruling party for the next two years. Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil advanced to the final ballot for chair, while candidates for the supreme council include Park Seon-won, Lee Seong-yoon, Kim Yong, Han Min-soo, Seo Mi-hwa, Choi Min-hee, Kim Young-ho and Lim Mi-ae. Results will be announced on-site on the 17th.

How it works

Selection combines 70% from party members and national delegates with 30% from a public opinion poll. The chair vote uses a ranked-choice system in which voters mark first, second and third preferences; if no one wins a majority, preferences decide the winner. Member voting began July 28 and closes today by region.

Why it matters

The ruling-party leadership is the axis that turns the president's agenda into law. With a 728-trillion-won expansionary budget, an 'AI transformation' drive and the Aug. 13 housing package all needing to clear the National Assembly, who leads the party will shape both the pace and the tone of relations with the opposition. Analysts note clear differences among the candidates over closeness to the president and reform direction.

As Korea's Chinese community sees it

Party contests are not open to foreign residents, but their outcomes feed into immigration policy, the local economy and education. For Korea's Chinese small-business owners and study or settlement families, the key is how far everyday concerns—loans, housing, prices—make the new leadership's priorities.

A third perspective

Hwagyo Sibo backs no candidate or faction. The confirmed facts: a chair and supreme council are chosen in Daejeon on Aug. 17; the candidates are Kim, Jung and Song; and the weighting is 70% members/delegates and 30% polling. We do not prejudge the result—we set facts side by side for readers to judge.