'Mini Presidential Election' By-election, Variable for the Democratic Party Convention... Kim Bu-gyeom's Time?

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom is holding a press conference to announce his candidacy for party leader at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] As the local government head by-elections next April grow to the scale of a 'mini presidential election,' they have emerged as a major variable in the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) party leader election. According to the DPK's party constitution and regulations, if a party leader steps down due to an unsavory incident, the party should not field a candidate. However, given the increased stakes, many analysts believe the party constitution and regulations will be amended to allow a candidate to run. If that happens, controversy may arise over the appropriateness of Representative Lee Nak-yeon serving as party leader only until March next year to run for president.

Former Representative Kim Boo-kyum, who is competing one-on-one with Representative Lee, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 14th and said, "In fact, the Seoul mayoral election and the Busan mayoral election are linked," adding, "It has become an election that gauges the entire nation and directly influences the upcoming presidential election, and as a political party, it could even affect the basis of our existence." He continued, "I believe the party constitution should be upheld, but regarding the issue of fielding candidates, the judgment of party members and comrades should be respected first."

He further stated, "It has become too big an issue to insist solely on the party constitution and regulations. If it is difficult to uphold the party constitution, the leadership must explain and apologize to the public for change to be possible; otherwise, it will be difficult to gain public trust."

According to the DPK's 'separation of party leadership and presidential candidacy' rule, even if Representative Lee becomes party leader, he must resign by March next year to run for president. He has argued that if the party leader resigns before the by-elections, the competition will be postponed until next spring, which would be desirable during a national crisis. On the other hand, former Representative Kim emphasizes that he is a candidate who can serve the full two-year term. As the scale of the by-elections grows, Kim's argument may gain more support.

According to the National Election Commission on the 14th, based on the 21st general election, there are 43.96 million voters nationwide, with 8.46 million in Seoul and 2.95 million in Busan. The two confirmed by-election areas account for about one-quarter of the total voters. Additionally, the Supreme Court ruling on Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's alleged false statement related to the 'forced hospitalization of his elder brother' is scheduled for the 16th. If the original sentence of a 3 million KRW fine, which would invalidate his election, is upheld by the Supreme Court, the number of voters in next year's by-elections will exceed half of the total. The number of voters in Gyeonggi Province reaches 11.06 million.

This effectively serves as a kind of preliminary test for both ruling and opposition parties one year before the presidential election. The DPK's party constitution and regulations stipulate that if an elected official from the party loses their position due to serious misconduct such as corruption, and a by-election is held, the party should not nominate a candidate.

Because of this, after former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don’s resignation, there was division within the DPK over whether to field candidates in the by-elections. However, the unexpected death of the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon changed the situation. It seems unlikely that the ruling party will not field candidates in the local government head elections held in the capital Seoul and the 'second city.'

Meanwhile, former Representative Kim has declared a slogan of 'certain return to power' and vowed to secure 3 million votes in the Yeongnam region in the next presidential election. In that regard, the fact that a by-election will be held in Busan is also a point of interest. On the broadcast that day, Kim emphasized, "In our party's traditional weak regions, we have regressed even more than in the 20th general election," adding, "If I become party leader, no matter which candidate our party fields, they will not suffer disadvantages due to regional issues."

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