Kim Dong-yeon, Song Young-gil, and Yoo Seung-min Await Decisions for Local Elections... "Must Make a Decision Within This Week"

To Run in Local Elections, Address Must Be Settled by Next Month 2nd Under Public Official Election Act
Kim Dong-yeon to Decide Between Gyeonggi Province and Seoul
Song Young-gil Faces Continued Drafting Debate
Yoo Seung-min Torn Between Political Retirement and Candidacy

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Oh Ju-yeon] Ahead of the June 1 local elections, attention is focused on the decisions of key metropolitan area candidates such as Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave party, Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party, and Yoo Seung-min, former lawmaker. There is even talk that the outcome of the metropolitan area elections, which will determine the victory or defeat in the local elections, depends on the decisions of these three. With Kim’s announcement of his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor imminent, the other candidates are also expected to make their “decisions” within this week.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to political circles on the 30th, those intending to run in the local elections must finalize their residency by the 2nd of next month. According to Article 16 of the Public Official Election Act, which includes eligibility requirements, candidates for local government heads must have been residents of the relevant local government area at least 60 days before the election. Kim, who is currently considering running for Seoul mayor or Gyeonggi Province governor, currently has his address registered in Seoul. If he runs for Gyeonggi Province governor, he must change his address to qualify as a candidate. Similarly, Song, a member of the National Assembly representing Gyeyang District in Incheon, must move his address to Seoul if he decides to challenge for Seoul mayor, as discussed within his party. Yoo, who is also mentioned as a possible candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor, must change his address from Seoul to Gyeonggi Province to qualify. For these reasons, the time for a decision is approaching, but all three have yet to take a stance on their future plans.

Kim, who has entered the merger process with the Democratic Party, is expected to announce his decision on whether to run and the region he will run in within this week. With the likelihood of running for Gyeonggi Province governor increasing, Kim is scheduled to have a luncheon meeting with Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party’s emergency committee chairman, to discuss the merger and local election candidacy. Regardless of the region Kim chooses to run in, he must go through the Democratic Party primary, and discussions about the “primary rules” are also expected. The Democratic Party’s basic position is to conduct the primary according to party rules and regulations, so it is anticipated that the existing Democratic Party primary rules will likely be maintained.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the local election for Seoul mayor, which is expected to be a “tough battleground,” there is growing support for the idea of endorsing former leader Song Young-gil. In particular, behind-the-scenes efforts are ongoing, mainly among lawmakers aligned with Lee Jae-myung, to request Song’s sacrifice and dedication based on the spirit of putting the party before oneself. Earlier, young politicians including former Supreme Council member Lee Dong-hak visited Song on the 27th to request his candidacy for Seoul mayor, and the day before, members of the “7-person group,” close aides of Lee Jae-myung, including Jeong Seong-ho and Kim Nam-guk, also met with Song. A first-term Democratic Party lawmaker said, “Even if he personally feels burdened to run, if the party creates such an atmosphere (for candidacy), he could definitely come out.”

Some express concerns about the one-sided push to draft Song as a candidate. Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker, told this outlet in a phone interview, “Currently, there are about five people in the party who want to run for Seoul mayor,” and added, “There needs to be a clear rationale for endorsing former leader Song.” He explained that excluding other lawmakers’ intentions to run and pushing forward unilaterally in a “wind-making” manner could cause internal party conflicts.

Yoo Seung-min, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is answering questions from reporters after visiting the People Power Party Daejang-dong Gate Special Prosecutor Promotion Tent Struggle Headquarters installed in front of the National Assembly main building on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Yoo’s dilemma is even deeper. It is reported that he is fundamentally contemplating whether to continue in politics. His choices go beyond whether to run for Gyeonggi Province governor to whether to declare retirement or candidacy. As confirmed in the recent presidential election, Gyeonggi Province is a stronghold of the Democratic Party, and there is a strong public opinion that Yoo should run because a symbol capable of capturing moderate voters is needed. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, said in a radio interview with Buddhist Broadcasting System on the same day, “I understand Yoo’s dilemma is deep,” and added, “I know he is coordinating between the burden of what role he should play for the party and spending time with his family.” A close associate of Yoo said, “Whether it is a retirement or candidacy declaration, a conclusion will be reached within this week.”

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