Democratic Party Rapidly Finalizes Local Election Lineup... People Power Party Struggles to Find Candidates in Seoul Metropolitan Area

Democratic Party Finalizes Sole Nominations for Gangwon and Incheon
People Power Party Faces Overcrowding in Yeongnam and Clear Gaps in Seoul Metropolitan Area

With 90 days remaining until the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party of Korea has begun finalizing its lineup of candidates, while the People Power Party has officially entered full election mode by opening applications for local election nominations.

On March 5, the Democratic Party's Nomination Management Committee will announce its nominations for metropolitan mayoral candidates in the afternoon. It is reported that Kim Kyungsoo, former Chairman of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development, will be nominated as the sole candidate for Governor of South Gyeongsang Province. Previously, the Democratic Party nominated Woo Sangho, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, as the sole candidate for Governor of Gangwon Province, and Park Chan-dae, a sitting lawmaker, as the sole candidate for Mayor of Incheon. With the deadline for resigning from public office falling on this day, the pool of candidates has become clearer.

Jung Wonoh, former head of Seongdong District Office, who announced his bid for Seoul Mayor, resigned from public office the previous day and is now set to register as a preliminary candidate. For the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral nomination, Jung is joined by lawmakers Kim Youngbae, Park Joomin, and Jeon Hyunhee, as well as Kim Hyungnam, former Secretary General of the Military Human Rights Center, who will all compete in the primary. In Gyeonggi Province, five candidates, including Governor Kim Dongyeon, lawmakers Kwon Chilsung, Chu Miae, Han Junho, and former lawmaker Yang Gidae, are expected to run in the primary.

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In Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City, which is holding its first election since regional integration, eight candidates will compete in the primary, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yeongrok, lawmakers Min Hyungbae, Shin Jeonghun, Lee Gaeho, Jeong Junho, Joo Cheolhyeon, and former lawmaker Lee Byeonghun.

While the Democratic Party is rapidly finalizing its candidate lineup, the People Power Party is facing a shortage of prominent candidates in the Seoul metropolitan area. Although many candidates are running in the Yeongnam region, where the chances of election are high, the pool of candidates is limited in key areas like Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, where high-profile figures are needed.

Lee Junghyun, Chairman of the People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee, is watching an online nomination system promotion video at the 3rd meeting of the Central Party Nomination Management Committee for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections, held on the 26th of last month at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Potential candidates for Seoul Mayor from the People Power Party include incumbent Mayor Oh Sehoon, as well as lawmakers Na Kyungwon, Ahn Cheolsoo, and Shin Dongwook. Former Innovation Committee Chairperson Yoon Heesook officially announced her candidacy the previous day. For Governor of Gyeonggi Province, former lawmakers Shim Jaecheol, Won Yoochul, and Ham Jingyu are preparing to run.

In contrast, there is an overflow of candidates in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. For Daegu Mayor alone, more than eight candidates have expressed their intentions to run, including lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Yoon Jae-ok, Chu Kyungho, Choi Eunseok, and Yoo Youngha. Outside the National Assembly, former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook is also being mentioned as a potential candidate.

Lee Junghyun, Chairperson of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee, is urging incumbent local government heads not to run and is focusing on discovering new faces. As a result, changes are expected in the candidate selection process. Lee emphasized, "It is difficult to win the hearts of the people simply by relying on the stability of being an incumbent," adding, "This election must serve as the starting point for generational, societal, and political renewal."

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