Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok won the ruling Democratic Party’s (DP) leadership election on Monday, securing 54.08% of the final vote against 45.92% for former party leader Jung Chung-rae. Kim’s victory gives President Lee Jae Myung a close political ally at the head of the governing party. Kim won 66.69% of delegate votes and 55.94% of dues-paying member votes, while Jung led the public opinion survey by 50.7% to 49.3%.

Kim campaigned for closer coordination between the party and the Blue House, warning in his final convention speechthat divisions could weaken Lee and asking members for a stable majority.