Democratic Party Energized by Gangseo District Mayor, Internal Unity Remains a Challenge

'Easy Victory' for Minjoo Party, Steadily in Election Mode
"We Will Prepare Calmly Without Arrogance"
Non-Establishment Faction: "If No Innovation, We Will Face People's Judgment"

In the by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, Jin Gyo-hoon, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate, won by a landslide. As the DPK prepares to enter full-fledged 'general election mode,' internal party unity remains an unresolved challenge. The DPK leadership stated that they will calmly prepare for the general election without becoming complacent about this victory, while the non-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bi-Myung) warned that without innovation, the party will face poor results in next year's general election.

According to the National Election Commission, candidate Jin received 137,066 votes (56.52%) out of a total of 243,664 votes, leading Kim Tae-woo of the People Power Party (PPP) by 17.15 percentage points.

This by-election was called a 'preliminary battle for the general election' as it was held six months before next year's general election in the metropolitan area. Although Gangseo District is traditionally a DPK stronghold, the ruling party mounted an all-out effort with prominent politicians such as Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo, yet the DPK secured a decisive victory.

As a result, the ruling party leadership, including People Power Party leader Kim Gi-hyeon, faces accountability, while the DPK leadership, including party leader Lee Jae-myung, can stably enter full-scale general election mode.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Floor leader Ik-pyo said on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "We are very grateful to the people for uniting their hearts in this election," adding, "However, rather than resting on the results of this election, we believe it is necessary to innovate ourselves more and make greater efforts to approach the people."

He continued, "With this good election result, the Lee Jae-myung leadership has a better chance of operating more stably," and said, "Political parties always face various crises, and leadership is about how well you wisely overcome those crises. In that regard, I think Lee Jae-myung has handled the recent crisis very well."

Park Ju-min, the DPK's chief deputy floor leader, also said, "We should not be complacent about this victory and must proceed as calmly and diligently as possible," adding, "I want to celebrate and cheer after next year's general election." In an interview with SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Park said, "The party atmosphere is that we must not become complacent about this victory; it is more that the people have judged the government."

However, DPK lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon likened the PPP's by-election defeat to being 'hit with a mop' and warned that if the DPK does not change, it could also face poor results in next year's general election.

On CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Cho said, "From the people's perspective, the DPK does not hold direct power, so even if given a knife, it is not so dangerous. But the government and ruling party wield the knife recklessly, which is very dangerous, so the people first hit them with a mop. It is not because we did well that they were not hit."

DPK lawmaker Lee Won-wook emphasized, "The people cast judgment votes against President Yoon Seok-youl's arrogance and authoritarianism since taking office," adding, "Now is the time for political recovery." Through Facebook, Lee stressed, "It is time to serve the people in terms of livelihood, security, economy, and welfare. Both ruling and opposition parties must restore politics and walk toward the people's livelihood, not political strife. We must create a National Assembly that competes for the people's livelihood."

Regarding the DPK, he said, "The DPK must innovate to restore trust. It should focus on the fight to recover lost morality, not on the fight against the People Power Party for windfall gains," warning, "Otherwise, a greater judgment from the people awaits."

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