[WEEKLY FOCUS]
Written : 2025-04-26 12:00:00 KST
[WEEKLY FOCUS] Partisan primaries in full gear ahead of 21st presidential election
As the presidential election draws closer, both rival parties have stepped up the pace in their primaries throughout this week. We turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young for a closer look at where things stand and what variables could shape the rest of the presidential race. Welcome. Thanks for having me. Ha-young, let's start with the Democratic Party. How did its primary unfold this week?
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draw closer 가까워지다
step up the pace 속도를 올리다
where things stand 상황이 어떤지
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Well, over the past two weeks, the Democratic Party's preliminary candidates have been traveling across the country as the party held regional primaries. The race began as a three-way contest between former party leader Lee Jae-myung; Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor; and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. The party's front-runner Lee, started off the week after strengthening his position as the DP's top contender, having secured nearly 90 percent of the cumulative votes from the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces.
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cumulative votes 누적 투표(수)
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This week alone, the DP held three rounds of debates, pushing the primary race into its final stretch. As of Friday, the remaining voting results are from the Jeolla-do provinces, the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju --with the final outcomes expected over the weekend. After announcing its final candidate on Sunday --based 50 percent on regional primary results and 50 percent on public opinion polls --the party is expected to shift into full-scale election mode starting next week.
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final stretch 막바지, 마지막 단계
shift into ~ 로 바꾸다
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Let's talk about the People Power Party's primary. Originally, almost a dozen people signed up for it. How far has the party gone in its primary process? The People Power Party had 11 registered candidates originally, but the party narrowed them down to eight. And on Tuesday, the PPP announced the first round cut-off, which was decided by a 100 percent open poll to have candidates who align with public expectations. Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo survived after the eight initial contestants were cut to four.
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narrow down to ~ 으로 좁히다
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Without a clear front-runner, the race is between two candidates who were against former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, Kim and Hong, and two who were for the impeachment, Han and Ahn. The candidates faced off in one-on-one debates --two on Thursday and two on Friday. The party also scheduled a four-way debate for Saturday. The second round cut-off will be decided with 50 percent of eligible PPP voters and 50 percent through an open survey, with results expected next Tuesday.
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face off 대결할 준비를 하다
one-on[to]-one 1대 1로
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If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes, there won't be a run-off. But, if no one reaches that threshold, the final candidate will be announced on May 3rd. Then for the DP, what are the factors to be on the lookout for? For the Democratic Party, front-runner Lee Jae-myung's legal troubles are one factor to be considered. The Supreme Court on Tuesday started reviewing the election violation charge against Lee as a full bench. And on Thursday, all the current justices held a second deliberation session on the case, just two days after the first session.
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run-off 2차 투표[2 차전]
threshold 한계점, 문턱
be on the lookout for ~을 예의주시하고 있다. ~에 주의를 기울이다.
lookout 조심, 경계, 전망
full bench 전원재판부
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This shows that the court is progressing in the case at unprecedented speed. This also means the court is taking the case more seriously than others due to the level of public interest. Usually, Supreme Court cases are generally overseen by four justices. An initial guilty verdict was overturned on appeal last month. If the top court finds issues with that ruling, it can send the case back to the Seoul High Court for a rehearing. While this is unlikely to block his presidential run as it takes time, it could fuel a political backlash.
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overturn 뒤집히다, 번복시키다
rehearing 재심리
backlash 반발
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If there's no final ruling before the election and Lee wins, his presidential immunity could spark debate over whether the trial can continue. For the PPP, Acting President Han Duck-soo's potential presidential run has emerged as a new variable in the race. Do tell us more about it. You're right. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's unclear stance on a presidential bid remains a key variable that the People Power Party will need to keep an eye on. Though not in the PPP primary, speculation is growing that he may run as an independent.
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presidential immunity 대통령 면책특권
varialbe 변수
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In such a case, some political insiders believe a merger with a conservative candidate later could shake up the race. There are concerns that his possible run is pulling the focus away from the PPP primary. While some party candidates have voiced discomfort, others say Han's presence could still work in their favor. If he plans to run, he must resign as Prime Minister by May 4. Alright, thank you, Ha-young, for your wrap-up. Keep us posted on future developments. Thank you.
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political insider 정치인사
pull the focus away from ~ 에서 초점을 멀어지게 하다
voice discomfort 불편함을 표명하다
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