First Public Office Committee: "We Will Present a Winning Candidate"

Discussion on Seoul and Busan Mayoral Primary Schedule
Park Young-sun Expected to Announce Candidacy After Cabinet Reshuffle
Possible 'Big 2' Showdown with Woo Sang-ho
Na Kyung-won Agrees to "Ahn Unification"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea's Public Office Election Candidate Recommendation Management Committee held its first meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 19th to discuss the party primary schedule for selecting candidates for the Seoul and Busan mayoral elections. Kim Jin-pyo, the committee chairman, stated, "The goal of the committee is to nominate candidates who can definitely win in the by-elections," adding, "We will strictly evaluate morality, policy capability and expertise, and work execution ability in line with the public's expectations."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Jin-pyo, chairman of the nomination management committee, along with other participants attending the April 7 by-election nomination committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th, are shouting "Fighting" before the start of the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Currently, the Seoul mayoral primary is expected to be a two-way contest between Representative Woo Sang-ho and Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun. After announcing a real estate policy on the 12th, Representative Woo told reporters, "A game without a confirmed opponent is frustrating. The primary should be activated quickly," urging Minister Park to make a decision. In political circles, it is anticipated that President Moon Jae-in will soon announce a cabinet reshuffle including the Minister of SMEs and Startups, and that Minister Park will immediately enter the Seoul mayoral race.

Other potential candidates have settled on not running. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Kim Dong-yeon announced his decision not to run on the 18th. Representative Park Ju-min also considered running for Seoul mayor but is reported to have firmly decided not to participate in the primary. For the Democratic Party's Busan mayoral candidate, former Secretary-General of the National Assembly Kim Young-choon was the first to declare his candidacy, followed by former Busan City Council Chairperson Park In-young. Additionally, Acting Mayor of Busan Byun Sung-wan is expected to resign soon and join the primary, so the pool of candidates is likely to continue growing.

Meanwhile, opposition candidates are initiating unification efforts. Former People Power Party Representative Na Kyung-won, who is running for Seoul mayor, responded "I agree" to a question during an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the same day, asking if she agreed with People Power Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo's view that unification is inevitable. She added, "I will accept any method, including a bold proposal like 100% public opinion polling. It's fine if Leader Ahn decides," leaving the possibility of unification open. On the same day, former People Power Party Representative Lee Hye-hoon reversed her decision to run through a statement, saying, "After many well-known candidates entered, mutual checks and criticisms within the opposition have intensified," and "I will step down for the greater good."

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