**Jung Chung-rae, elected Democratic Party of Korea chair in August 2025 with roughly 62 percent of the vote, faces mounting internal pressure following the June 3, 2026 local elections.** The ruling party secured most races but suffered a notable setback in the Seoul mayoral contest and other contests that fell short of expectations, prompting pro-Lee Jae-myung lawmakers to publicly demand his resignation during a June 11 closed-door caucus meeting. Critics cited strategic missteps, nomination disputes, and the need for party unity ahead of the scheduled August leadership convention, where Jung seeks re-election. These tensions reflect broader factional divides between Jung’s independent reformist base and presidential allies who view his tenure as a distraction from the administration’s agenda. The August convention serves as the immediate test; any leadership change before year-end would likely stem from convention outcomes, sustained calls for accountability, or further electoral underperformance.