The Democratic Party Abolishes Disadvantages in Nominating Incumbent Lawmakers... Targeting April By-Elections

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is deep in thought after delivering his opening remarks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has confirmed that it has abolished the rule that imposed nomination penalties on elected officials who resigned mid-term, targeting the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections. As a result, incumbent members of the National Assembly can now run in the primary elections for next year's by-elections without any penalties.

According to the Democratic Party on the 8th, until now, if elected officials such as local council members, heads of local governments, or members of the National Assembly did not complete three-quarters of their term and participated in candidate primaries to run for another election (excluding the presidential election), a certain portion of their votes was deducted. This regulation was established in 2015, and in 2019, the deduction rate was significantly increased from 10% to 25%.

However, on August 19, ahead of the August 29 party convention, the Democratic Party amended its party rules to exempt cases where candidates run for metropolitan mayoral elections from the deduction rule.

Accordingly, incumbent members of the National Assembly running in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections will no longer face disadvantages. Currently, among incumbents, members Woo Sang-ho, Park Yong-jin, and Park Joo-min are mentioned as candidates for Seoul mayor, while Park Jae-ho, Jeon Jae-soo, and Choi In-ho are being considered for Busan mayor.

If an incumbent lawmaker becomes a candidate for metropolitan mayor and resigns from their assembly seat, a by-election will also be held in that region alongside the Seoul and Busan by-elections in April next year.

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