DPK to Hold Primary for Seongnam Mayor... Revokes Sole Nomination of Pro-Lee Kim Byungwook

The Democratic Party of Korea has reversed its decision to single out former lawmaker Kim Byungwook as its sole candidate for Seongnam mayor in the June 3 local elections, and will instead select the candidate through a primary.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on March 20, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On March 26, Kang Junhyun, the party's chief spokesperson, announced that the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party reached this decision by accepting the ruling of the central party's review committee.

Previously, on March 20, the Gyeonggi Provincial Party nominated former lawmaker Kim, a member of the original "Group of Seven" pro-Lee Jae-myung meeting, as its candidate for Seongnam mayor. However, former spokesperson Kim Jiho filed for a review of the decision. With the Supreme Council deciding to accept this request, candidate Kim has now qualified to participate in the primary.

In a statement, Kim expressed gratitude to the Central Party's Review Committee and to the leadership under party leader Jeong Cheongrae for accepting the objection. Kim added, "During this review process, thorough fact-based verification must be conducted regarding allegations raised by the media concerning the purchase of a Gangnam apartment by former secretary Kim's eldest son, the acquisition through loans of about 2 billion won, and subsequent controversy over the rise in market value."

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