When is the Passport An Daehangma Candidacy Declaration?

No Movement Yet Except Woo Sang-ho
Park Young-sun Possible After 2nd Cabinet Reshuffle

Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups attended the '1st Innovation Growth BIG3 Promotion Meeting' held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st, wearing a mask with the phrase promoting 'K-MAS Live Market.' Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, has announced his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, drawing attention to the timing of potential candidates within the ruling party declaring their own bids.

According to political circles on the 21st, aside from Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who has already declared his candidacy and is actively campaigning, the figures mentioned as possible Democratic Party candidates for Seoul mayor are Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Park Joo-min, a party lawmaker. Currently, they are observing the situation without making any specific statements about their candidacy.

Particularly, the ruling party’s greatest interest lies in whether Minister Park will enter the race. Minister Park has demonstrated considerable influence within the party, having served as a four-term lawmaker, floor leader, and minister. Given that the Seoul mayor vacancy arose from sexual harassment allegations, she holds a significant advantage as a “female candidate.” If she decides to run, it is expected that she will resign her ministerial post during the second cabinet reshuffle and then actively pursue her campaign.

Park Joo-min, who has raised his profile by running for party leader, is reportedly solidifying his decision to run based on strong support from the pro-Moon Jae-in faction and is currently gathering opinions from his surroundings.

While the party’s primary race is expected to become a three-way contest among Woo, Minister Park, and Park Joo-min, speculation about Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae’s entry remains the biggest wild card. Her presence has grown within the Democratic Party’s support base due to the recent disciplinary case against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, and the timing of her potential resignation aligns with the by-election. However, some analysts believe her chances of running are slim, as her focus appears to be more on the presidential election than the Seoul mayoral race.

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