Hatakeyong's Seoul Candidacy... Growing Pressure on Ruling Party's Yeongnam Veterans

"'Leaving the party → Independent' is 100 times better"
Positive evaluations from ruling and opposition political circles carry weight

Three-term Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party representing Busan Haeundae Gap, has declared his candidacy for Seoul in next year's general election, leaving the party in a restless atmosphere. Ha's announcement has sparked increasing demands within the party for senior lawmakers from the Yeongnam region, a conservative stronghold, to run in challenging districts such as the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 7th, Ha declared his Seoul candidacy, emphasizing "the party's victory in the general election and success in the Seoul metropolitan area." He argued that well-known senior party members should step up to run in difficult districts to lead the party to victory. At a National Assembly press conference, he stated, "If we win in Seoul, our party will gain the effect of securing two seats," adding, "We must put aside vested interests, focus solely on the people, and lead the government with trust to achieve victory in the general election."

Ha Tae-kyung, member of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Ha's announcement ignited the 'senior lawmakers running in tough districts' debate within the ruling party. Cheon Ha-ram, chairman of the People Power Party's Suncheon Gap branch in Jeollanam-do, mentioned in a KBS radio interview, "If lawmakers like Jang Je-won or those currently holding party positions such as Representative Kim Ki-hyun, Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok, and Policy Committee Chair Park Dae-chul take the lead, it could become a trend."

The four lawmakers Cheon referred to all represent constituencies in the Yeongnam region and have served three or more terms. Representative Kim leads Ulsan Nam-gu Eul, Floor Leader Yoon represents Daegu Dalseo-gu Eul, Policy Committee Chair Park serves Jinju-si Gap in Gyeongnam, and Representative Jang represents Busan Sasang-gu.

Cheon added, "When those with much power and influence step down, it creates a dramatic effect and pressures other lawmakers to join in. If we shrink back and play it safe because the election is tough, the results will only worsen. The public is reluctant to vote for a party that appears to be shrinking."

Some speculate that Ha, classified as non-Yoon faction, preemptively declared his Seoul candidacy fearing he might be excluded from party nominations. In response, Ha said in an SBS radio interview, "If I leave the party and run as an independent, it would be looking out only for myself regardless of the party's fate. My choice is an effort to find a path where both the party and I can survive," and refuted, "No one can say this is about 'killing the party to save myself.'"

Cheon stated, "Honestly, politicians all look out for themselves. Ultimately, how much their personal interests align with the public good is very important," and defended Ha, saying, "This is a hundred times better than the old-fashioned politics of running as an independent just to survive."

The political circle generally views Ha's declaration to run in a tough district positively. Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a BBS radio interview, "It is unfair to belittle Ha's move as simply being pushed out. While that may be part of it, there is also a genuine willingness to sacrifice and do something for the party," adding, "there is no need to underestimate his sincerity, and it should be properly acknowledged."

Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in said in a YTN radio interview, "Within the People Power Party, senior lawmakers from local areas who have served multiple terms may feel uneasy about Ha's actions, fearing they might be asked to do the same," and praised, "His courage to give up a three-term constituency and run in a difficult Seoul district is admirable."

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