Opposition's Consecutive Runs for Seoul and Busan Mayoral Elections... Concerns Over 'General Election Competitiveness'

People Power Party Announces Candidates One After Another for Next April's By-Election... Easing 'Recruitment Difficulty' Concerns
Ongoing Debate Over 'Winning Candidates'... Calls to Persuade Yoo Seung-min and Oh Se-hoon Continue

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is deep in thought after delivering his opening remarks at the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] With the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections just four months away, declarations of candidacy from People Power Party candidates are coming one after another. The early concerns within the party that "no one is stepping forward" have proven unfounded as the atmosphere heats up, with attention now focused on the candidates' "general election competitiveness."

The People Power Party has officially confirmed a total of four candidates running for the Seoul and Busan mayoral races. On the 9th, former lawmaker Park Minsik declared his candidacy for Busan mayor, followed by former Songpa District Mayor Park Chunhee announcing her run for Seoul mayor on the 11th. On the 19th, former lawmakers Lee Hyehoon and Lee Jinbok also expressed their intentions to run.

On the 23rd, former lawmaker Lee Eonju will hold an event to coincide with the publication of her book "Busan Independence Declaration," marking the start of her election campaign. Former lawmaker Na Kyungwon will hold a book publication commemorative press conference on the 24th. Within the party, this is seen as a political move aimed at the Seoul mayoral race. On the 25th, former Secretary-General Kim Seondong is expected to announce his candidacy for Seoul mayor. Outside the party, former lawmaker Geum Taeseop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, has taken the lead. Candidacies are steadily emerging, centered on non-incumbents, not only in Busan but also in Seoul.

Although concerns about a "shortage of candidates" have lessened, the party is once again deeply concerned about the candidates' "general election competitiveness." The question is who can win against the Democratic Party candidate and whether such a candidate can be fielded. A party official said, "Ultimately, it comes down to the individual. Especially in Seoul, we cannot rely on party approval ratings," adding, "The key is to field a candidate who is both well-known and well-liked."

This is why voices both inside and outside the party are calling for former Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin to participate in the Seoul mayoral primary. Both have publicly expressed intentions to proceed directly to the presidential election. However, as the candidate selection period approaches, there is also a view that the party leadership and Seoul district committee chairpersons will engage in organized demands and persuasion efforts for their candidacies.

A party official said, "Everyone, including the candidates and presidential hopefuls, knows that if we do not win this by-election, there will be no party, no presidential election victory, and no regime change. Although some have drawn a line on running, depending on the electoral landscape, they may make different decisions," adding, "No one can predict who will be the final candidate."

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