Democrats Demand 'Pro-Moon Core' Im Jong-seok to Run for Seoul Songpa-gap Seat

Yeom Tae-young for Suwonmu, Son Myeong-su for Yongin, Hwang Jeong-a for Yuseong
Ahn Gyu-baek: "It is true that I requested Im Jong-seok to run for Songpa-gap"
Im Jong-seok reaffirms intention to run for Jung-Seongdong-gap

The Democratic Party's Strategic Nomination Management Committee has confirmed that it requested former Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok, who is running in Seoul Jung-Seongdong Gap, to run in Seoul Songpa Gap. The Seoul Yeongdeungpo Gap, represented by Deputy Speaker Kim Young-joo, who left the party in protest against the notification of a lower evaluation, has been designated as a strategic electoral district.

On the morning of the 21st, Ahn Kyu-baek, head of the Strategic Nomination Management Committee, told reporters at the National Assembly, "We have decided to strategically nominate Yeom Tae-young, former mayor of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, in Suwon Mu, Gyeonggi Province; Son Myung-soo, the 20th recruited talent and former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in Yongin E, Gyeonggi Province; and Hwang Jeong-ah, the 6th recruited talent and senior researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, in Yuseong, Daejeon." He also said that Seoul Yeongdeungpo Gap, represented by Deputy Speaker Kim Young-joo, who left the party in protest against the notification of the bottom 20% evaluation, has been designated as a strategic electoral district, emphasizing, "Our party's elected official system is a system for improving the party's constitution and winning the general election, and no one can intervene fundamentally."

Ahn Gyu-baek, Chair of the Strategic Nomination Management Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is explaining the results of the 5th meeting in front of the party leader's office at the National Assembly on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked whether he had inquired about former Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok's willingness to run in Seoul Songpa Gap, classified as a difficult district, Chairman Ahn said, "Because the party's strategic assets have a large ripple effect, it is true that we requested him to go and dedicate himself to a region that is moderately strong rather than a region with strong party power (Songpa Gap)." He added, "Since no decision has been made yet, it is limited to say whether he is 100% excluded from the nomination in Seoul Jung-Seongdong Gap or not. It is a matter to be decided after seeing the final judgment as it is too early to judge whether Chief Lim will accept it or not."

When asked if this request was made not on a personal level but in the capacity of the Strategic Nomination Committee Chairman, he replied, "Yes."

Former Chief Lim Jong-seok has effectively expressed his refusal. His side explained, "We perceived that Ahn Kyu-baek, head of the Strategic Nomination Committee, personally inquired about his intention in advance," and added, "We fully explained the situation in Seoul Jung-Seongdong Gap and our existing (candidacy) position, and received the response that 'we will discuss it well.'"

In addition, the Strategic Nomination Committee decided on a public primary among three candidates in Gwangju E, Gyeonggi Province: former Gwangju Mayor Shin Dong-heon, former Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member Park Deok-do, and special advisor to the party leader Ahn Tae-jun. This district was controversial as Representative Lee Jae-myung urged former lawmaker Moon Hak-jin not to run.

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