In another twist in the ongoing leadership race in the Democratic United Party, Rep. Kang Gi-jung won the third round of regional voting for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province on Tuesday.

Gwangju is Kang’s home turf, from which he won his third parliamentary seat in the upcoming 19th National Assembly.

Kang received 488 out of 978 votes, trailed by Kim Han-gil with 437, Choo Mi-ae with 282 and Lee Hae-chan with 371.

When combining all the votes from Ulsan, Busan, Gwangju and South Jeolla Province so far, Lee remains the frontrunner with 772 votes in the eight-horse race, although he had lost to Kim earlier in Ulsan. Kim earned the second-highest total at 744 followed by Kang’s 673.

The DUP is scheduled to continue regional voting across the country through the end of May before the final round slated for June 9.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)