'Park Won-soon Kids' Win Big...Will Park's Presidential Path Gain Momentum?

Former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Ki Dong-min Re-elected, Followed by Former Administrative Deputy Mayor Yoon Joon-byeong, Former Deputy Mayors for Political Affairs Kim Won-i and Jin Sung-jun... Former Chief Secretary Heo Young, Political Secretary · Former Political Secretary Choi Jong-yoon, Former Chief Secretary Cheon Jun-ho Also Receive Gold Badges

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mayor Park Won-soon has emerged as the biggest beneficiary in the April 15 general election, drawing attention.

Mayor Park served as the Mayor of Seoul for about 10 years during the 5th to 7th terms of direct elections, appointing numerous deputy mayors and political deputy mayors. The so-called 'Park Won-soon Kids,' who worked closely with Mayor Park, won gold badges in this election, with six members elected.

Ki Dong-min, who entered Seoul City Hall as the political deputy mayor alongside Mayor Park during the 5th term, successfully won re-election in Seongbuk-gap, Seoul. Additionally, Kim Won-i, a junior to Ki and the immediate former political deputy mayor, created an upset by defeating veteran politician Park Ji-won in Mokpo, Jeonnam.

Along with them, former Administrative Deputy Mayor Yoon Joon-byung ran in his hometown of Jeongeup and Gochang, Jeonbuk, and defeated his university classmate, Representative Yoo Seong-yeop, by a large margin. Elected Yoon is well-known as a transportation expert in Seoul City, having served as head of the Transportation Headquarters and established the Seoul Transportation Corporation by merging Seoul Metro Corporation and Urban Railroad Corporation, earning a reputation as a high-ranking official with strong leadership.

However, he also experienced hardship when assigned as head of the Seoul Waterworks Headquarters and even submitted his resignation, which Mayor Park rejected. Afterwards, he served as Chief of Staff and Administrative Deputy Mayor.

Also, former political deputy mayor Jin Sung-jun, who previously served as Blue House political secretary, ran in Gangseo-eul, Seoul, and was elected with 56% of the vote.

Alongside him, former Chief Secretary Chun Jun-ho made his second attempt in Gangbuk-gap, Seoul, winning by a large margin of 16% over his opponent.

Former Secretary to Mayor Park and Political Chief Huh Young ran in Chuncheon-Cheorwon-Hwacheon-Yanggu-gap, Gangwon Province, winning with 66.93% of the vote and defeating United Future Party candidate Kim Jin-tae by about 8%, achieving a thrilling victory.

Former Political Chief Choi Jong-yoon also won a gold badge by defeating his opponent by 17% in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province.

However, former Administrative Deputy Mayor Kang Tae-woong, who ran in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, narrowly lost by 890 votes to his opponent.

With this, Mayor Park is expected to carry out a large-scale reorganization of his political staff, having recently replaced his longtime aide Chief Secretary Oh Seong-gyu, drawing attention.

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