Decision on No-Contest in Five Districts Imminent... 'Mini Election' Field Inspection Completed

Democratic Party's 'Mini By-Election' in 5 Districts
Final Stage of On-Site Inspection... Whether to Field Candidates
Likely to Be Confirmed by the End of This Month

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is attending the 1st meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Crisis Response held at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 17th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea will soon finalize whether to make a 'no nomination' decision for the five constituencies where the presidential election will be held on March 9 next year. It was confirmed on the 17th that the fact-finding investigation for the relevant constituencies?Seoul Jongno, Seocho Gap, Gyeonggi Anseong, Daegu Jungnang-gu, and Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang?has reached its final stage. Based on the investigation report, the party plans to decide by the end of this month whether to apply no nomination to all or some of the five constituencies.

Among the five constituencies, three?Seoul Jongno, Gyeonggi Anseong, and Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang?are places where the Democratic Party bears 'responsibility.' In Jongno, former party leader Lee Nak-yeon took the risk of resigning his parliamentary seat during the party primary, necessitating a new election. Gyeonggi Anseong and Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang became vacant as former lawmakers Lee Gyu-min and Jeong Jeong-soon were disqualified due to violations of the Public Official Election Act. On the other hand, Seocho and Daegu Jungnang-gu are constituencies where the People Power Party bears responsibility, as former lawmakers Yoon Hee-sook and Kwak Sang-do resigned amid allegations of land speculation by their fathers and a 5 billion won retirement bonus controversy involving a son, respectively.

Article 96, Clause 2 of the Democratic Party's bylaws stipulates that "when a party-affiliated public official loses their position due to a serious fault and a by-election or re-election is held, the party shall not nominate a candidate for the relevant constituency." Depending on how this 'serious fault' is interpreted, up to three constituencies (Seoul Jongno, Gyeonggi Anseong, Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang) could be subject to no nomination. However, considering the relationship with former leader Lee, it is unlikely that Jongno will be designated as a 'no nomination' area. Nevertheless, the possibility of no nomination is relatively high for Gyeonggi Anseong and Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang, where responsibility is clear.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung stated on the 13th, "There have been several occasions when the Democratic Party lost trust, one of which is not adhering to the party's own bylaws and regulations," adding, "We should positively consider (no nomination)." This remark is interpreted as a judgment that a no nomination decision for by-elections will help secure victory in the presidential election. For the Democratic Party, which holds 169 seats, keeping the 'promise to the people' and winning the presidential election may be a greater benefit than increasing a few more seats.

A key member of the election committee said, "After the fact-finding report is released at the end of this month, the decision-making unit for candidate screening will practically decide on no nomination or candidates." The constituency investigation is a system where party organization staff are dispatched directly to constituencies to inquire about public opinion and reputation regarding candidates. The central party confirms primary candidates for each constituency by comprehensively reviewing constituency investigations, document screening, and interviews.

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