Seoul: Lee Jae-Myung was set to become the presidential candidate for South Korea’s ruling party on Sunday, hoping to overcome a property scandal and gather national support while conservative opponents trade barbs over acupuncture and fortune-tellers. Lee, the governor of Gyeonggi province, was expected to seal his victory in the primary to represent the Democratic Party primary in the March 9 presidential election, Reuters reports.
The leading contender to among a fractured field from the main conservative People Power Party, Yoon Seok-youl, has been caught up in scandals of his own – including murky ties to an acupuncturist and accusations he relies on fortune-tellers. The winners will vie to replace President Moon Jae-in, who must step down due to term limits. Lee leads more than 55% of the vote to his nearest rival’s 34% in the primary ending on Sunday, which began early last month.
