Democratic Party Hampyeong County Governor By-election Primary One Day Away

Kim Seong-chan, Lee Sang-ik, and Jeong Mun-ho Contest... Controversy Over Bribery and Other Issues in 'Fog'

The Democratic Party primary for the Jeollanam-do Hampyeong County Governor by-election will be held over three days starting from the 7th. From the left in the photo are Democratic Party preliminary candidates Kim Seong-chan, Lee Sang-ik, and Jeong Mun-ho.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Democratic Party's primary election for the mayor of Hampyeong-gun, Jeonnam is just one day away.

In this primary with three candidates, the competition has become heated due to controversies such as 'providing money,' making it impossible to predict the outcome.

Moreover, in this Hampyeong-gun mayoral election, some candidates are reportedly mobilizing organizational power comparable to that of the Democratic Party, making it uncertain whether the formula "Democratic Party nomination equals victory" will hold.

According to local political circles on the 6th, the Democratic Party primary for the Hampyeong-gun mayoral by-election will be decided over three days starting from the 7th, by combining 50% party members' votes and 50% general residents' votes.

The results will be announced late afternoon on the last day of the primary, the 9th.

Currently, the Democratic Party primary candidates Kim Seongchan, Lee Sangik, and Jeong Munho (in alphabetical order) are in a tight race.

Candidate Kim Seongchan is pledging to expand the support targets and scope of the '100-won Happiness Taxi' system, introduced to alleviate inconveniences for residents in transportation-vulnerable villages, and to implement 'youth policies' to make Hampyeong a better place for young people, appealing to grassroots public sentiment.

Candidate Lee Sangik has promised tailored support for return-to-farming and return-to-village policies and the establishment of communal living housing for elderly people living alone in the aging society. He is also actively inviting cultural and artistic figures from Hampyeong to county events, aiming to share dreams and hope while consolidating his voter base.

Candidate Jeong Munho has presented a roadmap for preventing elderly solitary deaths, a rising social issue, and for creating a 'Smart City Hampyeong.' Along with this, he has promised to increase the income of farmers, fishermen, and livestock farmers through the establishment of a 'wealthy rural agro-urban convergence city base.'

However, local public opinion suggests that the recent allegations of money provision by candidate Lee Sangik's side, currently under investigation by the Jeonnam Election Commission, could act as a variable.

It is alleged that around last year's Chuseok holiday, Mr. A from candidate Lee's side visited acquaintance Mr. B in the hospital and provided cash twice, which was revealed through Mr. B's conscience declaration.

When the controversy began at the end of last month, Mr. A issued a statement on social media claiming that the money provided was a personal consolation payment. Candidate Lee also explained, "I went to visit the hospital together, but I was unaware of the money transfer."

In response, candidates Kim and Jeong held a press conference on the 1st, stating, "A voter who received money from candidate Lee made a conscience declaration and formally reported it to the Jeonnam Election Commission," and added, "There is growing public opinion that money politics must be eradicated."

In this election, former Hampyeong County Council Chairman Jeong Cheolhee, who left the Democratic Party, has thrown his hat in the ring as an independent, and it is said that candidate Jeong's organizational power cannot be ignored.

This is because in the June 13 local elections, Democratic Party candidate Kim Seongmo, who was then considered likely to win, lost the mayoral seat to Lee Yunhaeng of the Democratic Peace Party.

Therefore, even after the Democratic Party primary ends, it is expected that the candidate who secures the nomination must not let their guard down.

A Hampyeong resident, Mr. Kim (55), said, "It is deeply regrettable that in a by-election held due to the previous Hampyeong mayor's downfall related to money, there is again talk of money provision," adding, "A clean election must precede to change Hampyeong."

The Democratic Party candidate who wins the nomination through this primary will compete for entry into the Hampyeong County Office in the by-election held together with the April 15 general election against Minsheng Party candidate Kim Seongho and independent candidates Shin Kyungseon, Jeong Dusuk, and Jeong Cheolhee (in alphabetical order).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.