Gyeonggi Gov. Lee further solidifies lead in ruling party primary
SEOUL, Oct. 3 (Yonhap) -- Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung widened his lead in the ruling Democratic Party's presidential primary race on Sunday by winning a comfortable majority of votes in the race's second "super week."
After Sunday's primaries, Lee's support rose to 54.9 percent of the votes cast since the race began early this month, up from Saturday's 53.51 percent, while the support for his rival Lee Nak-yon fell to 34.3 percent from 34.67 percent.
Support for former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Rep. Park Yong-jin came to 9.1 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
The race is scheduled to wind up with a primary in Seoul on Oct. 10.
If the current trend holds, Lee is expected to win the party's ticket for March's presidential election without a run-off vote.
Sunday's results showed again that the DP's primaries have seen almost no impact from a snowballing land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul, allegedly involving the governor during his time as the city's mayor in 2015.
The main opposition party has accused Lee of masterminding a scheme that ended up providing astronomical profits to asset management firm Hwacheon Daeyu and its seven affiliates after the firm, which was previously unheard of, was selected as a civilian partner for the project in Seongnam.

Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung, a candidate in the ruling Democratic Party's presidential nomination election, speaks during a regional primary in Incheon, west of Seoul, on Oct. 3, 2021. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Opposition leader calls on Yoon to reject imports of products from Japan's Fukushima
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
DP leader says Yoon should have stormed out of summit with Japan if Dokdo issue raised
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
(LEAD) U.S. Forces Korea holds first deployment training of THAAD 'remote' launcher
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
(LEAD) U.S. Forces Korea holds first deployment training of THAAD 'remote' launcher
-
Grandson of ex-President Chun apprehended at Incheon Int'l Airport over drug use
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
S. Korea calls on N. Korea to pay back US$80 mln loan
-
(LEAD) (News Focus) Abrupt replacement of national security adviser gives rise to much speculation
-
(2nd LD) N. Korea plans to send weapons, munitions to Russia in exchange for food: NSC
-
Grandson of ex-President Chun released after investigation over drug use
-
S. Korea releases report on N. Korea's human rights violations
-
National Assembly consents to arrest of PPP lawmaker Ha