Election Campaigns Begin in 5 By-Election Districts, Only Seocho-gap Sees Major Party Face-Off

Democrats - No Candidacy in 3 Districts, People Power Party - 1 District
Lee Jun-seok and Kim Ki-hyun Support Choi Jae-hyung

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Lee Hyun-joo] Official campaigns have begun in five constituencies, including Jongno in Seoul, where by-elections for the National Assembly will be held alongside the presidential election. However, the Democratic Party has not fielded candidates in three districts, and the People Power Party in one, resulting in a contest between the two parties only in ‘Seoul Seocho District Gap’.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Central Election Management Committee on the 15th, in Jongno-gu, known as the ‘political number one district,’ 10 candidates including Choi Jae-hyung of the People Power Party have completed registration and begun full-scale election campaigns. The Democratic Party did not nominate a candidate, taking responsibility for triggering the by-election following the resignation of former party leader Lee Nak-yeon. Despite this decision, former Jongno District Mayor Kim Young-jong, who was affiliated with the Democratic Party, resigned from the party and ran as an independent, leading the Democratic Party to ban his reinstatement. In his candidacy declaration, former Mayor Kim stated that although it is a "difficult and lonely path," a ‘Jongno person’ who knows Jongno well is needed.

Candidate Choi is expected to generate synergy as the running mate of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl. On the first day of official campaigning, Choi held a campaign event at Gyeongbokgung Station. To support Choi, who lacks political experience, party leaders including Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader, also attended. On the same day, Choi wrote on his Facebook, "Jongno residents and Jongno should no longer be just a political symbol," adding, "I will listen carefully to the stories of Jongno residents. We will think together and improve."

The Democratic Party and the People Power Party will face off in Seoul Seocho District Gap, which became vacant following the resignation of former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook.

In Seoul Seocho District Gap, seven candidates have declared their candidacy, including former Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee (People Power Party) and Lee Jeong-geun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Future Party (Democratic Party). Lee, who ran for Seocho District Mayor in the 2018 local elections but was defeated by former Mayor Cho, aims to avenge his loss in this by-election. However, the conservative-leaning nature of the region is expected to be a variable.

In a phone interview, candidate Cho said, "I will strive to unite centrist supporters and young voters so that the candidate and the voters can mutually win," adding, "I will ensure the highest number of votes nationwide in Seocho Gap." Cho also decided on the campaign slogan, ‘Yoon Seok-youl raised by the people, Cho Eun-hee raised by Seocho.’

In Daegu Jung and Nam districts, six candidates including Baek Soo-beom (Democratic Party) and Kwon Young-hyun (People’s Party) have registered. In Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province, three candidates including Kim Hak-yong (People Power Party) and Lee Joo-hyun (Justice Party) have registered, and in Sangdang District, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, four candidates including Jeong Woo-taek (People Power Party) have started the race for a seat in Yeouido.

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