Ruling and Opposition Parties Engage in Tensions and Noise Ahead of By-Elections

"Do Not Nominate Candidates at Fault for the Ruling Party"
Direct Hit on Justice Party Leader Kim Jong-cheol
Internal Party Factions Say "Let's Be Judged by Votes"

People Power Party Replaces Election Committee Chair
Conflicting Opinions Within Party on Three Economic Bills
Analysis of Shaken Kim Ki-jin Leadership

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun, Kang Na-hum, Jeon Jin-young] With just over six months left until the by-elections to elect the Seoul and Busan mayors in April next year, the political arena is abuzz with calculations from both ruling and opposition parties. Within the ruling party, there is a tense battle over whether the Democratic Party will nominate candidates, while the People Power Party has faced controversy from the start, having appointed and then withdrawn a chairman for its election countermeasures committee.

According to political circles on the 13th, the ruling party is engaged in a tense dispute between the Democratic Party and the Justice Party over the nomination of candidates. Kim Jong-cheol, leader of the Justice Party, said in a radio interview the day before, "Do not field candidates in Seoul and Busan in next year’s by-elections." He pointed out, "The elections in Busan and Seoul are being held due to the Democratic Party’s responsibility," adding, "Therefore, according to their party constitution and regulations, they should not nominate candidates."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party still seems reluctant to publicly state its position. However, within the party, the prevailing opinion is to field candidates and face the judgment of the people. A Democratic Party official said, "Not nominating candidates is irresponsible for a political party. Many believe it is better to run and be judged by the votes."

Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has also recently mentioned the need to establish an Innovation Committee, which is interpreted as the party preparing for the by-elections. The Innovation Committee Lee referred to is modeled after the 'Party Leadership Re-innovation Committee' led by former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Kim Sang-gon. Formed in 2015, this committee included former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and proposed reforms such as forming an elected official evaluation committee before the general election and excluding the bottom 20% of incumbent lawmakers from nominations. This is why it is seen as targeting the by-elections.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the National Crisis Overcoming K-New Deal Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

However, there are many challenges to overcome in order to field candidates. As Kim pointed out, the party constitution and regulations are an issue. Article 96, Paragraph 2 of the Democratic Party’s constitution states, "If an elected official belonging to the party loses their position due to serious misconduct such as corruption, the party shall not recommend a candidate for the by-election in the relevant electoral district." The Democratic Party plans to legitimize its decision through a vote of all party members. Hong Ik-pyo, a member of the party’s think tank, the Democratic Research Institute, said in a radio interview on the 6th, "It is best to ask all party members about the matter, listen to their opinions, and finalize the decision." Regarding timing, he added, "Personally, I think it should not go beyond early November." According to this, discussions about the by-elections are expected to accelerate after the National Assembly audit ends.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party initially appointed former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Yoo Il-ho as chairman of the by-election countermeasures committee but later withdrew the appointment and designated Kim Sang-hoon, a three-term lawmaker within the party. During this process, the countermeasures committee was downgraded to a primary preparation committee.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters after a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on the same day, "It was not noise but a variety of opinions," explaining, "There were opinions on how to form the committee, what roles it should have, whether to entrust it with primary rules strategy or election management, so the name was changed to limit its role to setting primary rules."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The People Power Party had planned to launch the countermeasures committee with Yoo Il-ho as chairman by the 12th, but due to personnel issues, they appointed Kim Sang-hoon as chairman of the preparation committee and completed the appointments. The party explained that there was an opinion to prepare centered on current lawmakers, but there is speculation that internal opposition to Yoo, who is classified as a pro-Park figure, influenced the decision.

Some interpret the dismissal of Yoo Il-ho, who was initially chosen by Kim Jong-in, as a sign that Kim Jong-in’s leadership is wavering. Before the emergency committee meeting on the morning of the 12th, Kim reportedly said during tea time, "At this rate, we will lose the presidential election," and "We may not be able to continue the emergency committee." Opinions within the party are also divided over the so-called 'Economic Three Laws' (amendments to the Commercial Act, the Fair Trade Act, and the Financial Group Supervision Act) that Kim is actively promoting.

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