Democratic Party "Strategic Nomination for Daegu Jung-Nam District and Seocho-gu Gap in National Assembly By-Elections"

Three Districts Including Jongno, Anseong, and Cheongju Sangdang, Deemed 'Democratic Party's Responsibility,' Will Not Nominate Candidates as Part of Party Reform

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided not to field candidates in three constituencies?Seoul Jongno, Anseong, and Cheongju Sangdang?in the upcoming by-elections for the National Assembly held alongside the presidential election on March 9. Instead, they will strategically nominate candidates in two constituencies: Daegu Jung?Nam District and Seoul Seocho District Gap.

Democratic Party senior spokesperson Ko Yong-jin briefed that this decision was made during a closed Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 3rd.

The by-election in Seoul Seocho Gap is taking place following the resignation of former People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook amid real estate speculation controversies. In Daegu Jung?Nam District, the by-election follows the resignation of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who is accused of facilitating the Daejang-dong development project and receiving bribes through his son.

The designation of these two districts as strategic nomination constituencies reflects the Democratic Party’s judgment that both are challenging areas, and they intend to field highly competitive candidates.

The Democratic Party has recruited lawyer Baek Soo-beom, a member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), and there is speculation within the party that Baek may be strategically nominated for Daegu. Additionally, Lee Jeong-geun, the local committee chairman, is being considered as a candidate for Seocho Gap.

Furthermore, the Democratic Party confirmed a no-nomination policy for the three constituencies of Seoul Jongno, Gyeonggi Anseong, and Cheongju Sangdang, where party leader Song Young-gil had previously announced a no-nomination stance as part of political reform efforts.

Senior spokesperson Ko stated, "All five by-election constituencies have been designated as strategic nomination areas. Among them, Jongno, Anseong, and Cheongju have been decided as no-nomination areas. Seocho and Daegu will have strategic nominations, and we will review various circumstances regarding the candidates going forward."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s Supreme Council decided to postpone the deadline for party officials running in local elections to resign from their posts until after the presidential election. Additionally, under the party’s general amnesty measures, those who have rejoined the party have been exceptionally granted voting rights as party members, allowing them to run in local elections.

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