The Sound of the By-Election Gun Fired

Last Month, Following People Power Party, Democratic and Justice Parties Also Launch Election Planning Teams
Seoul Mayoral Candidates Include Park Young-sun, Woo Sang-ho, Oh Se-hoon, Na Kyung-won, etc.
Busan Expected Candidates Include Park Jae-ho, Seo Byung-soo... Kim Young-chun Also Making Behind-the-Scenes Moves

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Ahead of next year's by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral offices, both ruling and opposition parties are fully engaged in election preparations, including launching election planning teams.

The People Power Party took the lead by launching a primary preparation committee on the 12th of last month, and on the 9th, the Democratic Party and the Justice Party each launched by-election planning teams, marking the start of by-election preparation systems for both parties. Not only the parties but also the candidates are advancing individually. According to political circles on the 10th, the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate pool includes Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and lawmakers Woo Sang-ho, Park Ju-min, and Park Yong-jin. Lawmaker Woo is virtually confirmed to run. However, Lawmaker Park Yong-jin drew a line, saying, "I appreciate the discussion about the candidate pool, but I am more focused on the task of political reform than running for Seoul mayor."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Kwang-on, head of the April 7 By-election Planning Team, along with other participants, are taking a commemorative photo at the 1st April 7 By-election Planning Team meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The People Power Party is considering former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmakers Kim Sung-tae, Na Kyung-won, and Lee Hye-hoon, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee. Former Songpa District Mayor Park Chun-hee is scheduled to hold a campaign announcement at the People Power Party central office on the 11th. The Justice Party candidates, who declared "independent completion without unification," include city councilor Kwon Soo-jung, Seoul Party Chairperson Jeong Jae-min, and former Gwanak District councilor Lee Dong-young. Shin Ji-hye, the standing representative of the Basic Income Party, has also started preparations.

Busan is heating up as well. For the Busan mayoral race, the Democratic Party is considering current Busan lawmakers Park Jae-ho, Jeon Jae-soo, Choi In-ho, and former lawmaker Kim Hae-young. Kim Young-chun, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, reopened his previously closed Facebook page "Ttubuk Ttubuk Kim Young-chun" on the 9th. On the 6th, Secretary-General Kim visited the construction site of the National Assembly Library Busan branch to check progress, gradually increasing his public engagement. This is interpreted as the start of behind-the-scenes activities.

The People Power Party saw former lawmaker Park Min-sik declare his candidacy on the 9th, and more declarations from former and current lawmakers are expected to follow. Former Busan Mayor Seo Byung-soo, former lawmakers Yoo Jae-joong, Lee Eon-ju, Lee Jin-bok, and former United Future Party joint election committee chairman Park Hyung-joon are preparing to enter the race.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In addition, attention is focused on Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and his proposal for opposition realignment. He argues that a new party should be formed to field a unified candidate, emphasizing the need for opposition reorganization. However, the response from the main opposition party, the People Power Party, has been lukewarm. On the same day, Choi Hyung-doo, the People Power Party floor spokesperson, said on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "Integration is one of the things that must be achieved, but the method of merging the main opposition party with 103 seats and the People’s Party with 3 seats will not be a one-to-one match," adding, "I think Ahn is in the process of creating various channels to enter as a People Power Party candidate."

Regarding candidate selection, the Democratic Party has promised "strict verification," while the opposition has pledged to "judge the Democratic Party." Since the Democratic Party is responsible for the by-elections, their election planning team’s first slogan was "Low, Responsible, Together." Leader Lee Nak-yeon emphasized, "We will put forward the most moral and competent candidate."

On the same day, People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young sharply stated at the floor strategy meeting, "It is the right thing for the people and the desirable attitude for the Democratic Party to quietly wait and not field a candidate during the election." The Justice Party also held a press conference the previous day, urging the withdrawal of the Seoul mayoral nomination, saying, "The ruling party’s change of words that abandons principles is an insult to the 8,477,244 Seoul voters."

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