[6.3 Election] "Where Are the Calls for Political Reform?"... National Innovation Party Lacks a Card to Sway Honam Voters

Former Democratic Party Members Dominate the Ticket

No Differentiation in Message or Candidates

Lack of Strategy Leads to Voter Apathy

Ahead of the June 3 local elections, the National Innovation Party is seeking to expand its influence by fielding candidates in a series of basic mayoral races in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. However, local political circles are assessing that the party still lacks the strength needed to break the Democratic Party’s long-standing dominance.

This is due to the current lack of competitive candidates and the absence of any noticeable strategy. While the National Innovation Party has been vocal about “breaking the Democratic Party’s monopoly,” the actual response in the region remains lukewarm.

Ju-guk, leader of the National Innovation Party, is speaking about policy directions at the Bitgaram Observatory in Naju, Jeonnam, on March 25. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to local political sources on April 18, the National Innovation Party has so far confirmed candidates in 11 constituencies in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. Kim Seonghwan in Dong-gu, Gwangju; Jeong Cheolwon in Damyang; Lee Yunhaeng in Hampyeong; Myung Changhwan in Yeosu; Kim Deoksoo in Naju; Park Woongdu in Gokseong; Lee Changho in Gurye; Sa Sunmoon in Jangheung; Choi Youngyeol in Yeongam; Jeong Wonsik in Yeonggwang; and Kim Wanggeun in Jangseong have all completed preparations to run. In Mokpo and Sinan, the candidate primaries are still underway.

The core strategy for this election, according to the National Innovation Party, is to “break the Democratic Party’s monopoly.” The goal is to reshape the local political landscape, where winning is often guaranteed simply by running as a Democratic Party candidate, and to establish itself as an alternative party capable of checking the Democratic Party’s power in the Honam region.

However, a closer look at the candidates reveals that a significant number of them are former Democratic Party members, exposing a disconnect with the party’s claim of “innovation.” It seems that the party has focused on recruiting established politicians who have already gained stature within the Democratic Party, rather than discovering fresh faces. This has led to growing questions about the direction of the National Innovation Party in this election.

This stands in stark contrast to the surge of the People’s Party, led by Ahn Cheolsoo, during the 2016 general elections.

Last month, when the Candidate Recommendation Management Committee of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Party of the National Innovation Party finalized and announced the results of the first nomination screening for the June 3 local elections. Provided by the Gwangju Metropolitan City Party of the National Innovation Party

At that time, the People’s Party toppled the Democratic Party’s dominance by winning 16 out of 18 seats in the Honam region. The emergence of non-establishment politicians like Ahn, who advocated for “new politics,” resonated with voters who were weary of the Democratic Party’s prolonged rule and brought about a shift in voter sentiment.

Trust in President Lee Jaemyung remains strong in the region, and although it may not be immediately apparent, there is still an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s monopoly in local politics.

Recent controversies and disputes during the nomination process in various parts of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province have further fueled these sentiments. For the National Innovation Party, this presents a narrow window of opportunity to gain a foothold in the region, much as the People’s Party did in the past.

However, the National Innovation Party has yet to present any compelling message or strategy capable of winning over voters, unlike the People’s Party did before.

Listening to some of the party’s candidates running in this election, their rhetoric often focuses less on regional development agendas and more on raising suspicions about Democratic Party candidates, criticizing them, or simply pointing out and tattling on chronic issues within the local Democratic Party. This is seen as a mere “replay” of what happened when these candidates left the Democratic Party in the past.

Additionally, the party’s activities are often limited to brief, one-off events, such as candidates appearing together when party leader Cho Kuk visits the region. This has led to criticism that the process resembles just another Democratic Party primary with only superficial changes.

By failing to recruit fresh and appealing candidates who could attract local voters, even the party’s carefully crafted pledges and political strategies are being disregarded.

Moreover, the party’s ongoing decision to refrain from fielding candidates in the first-ever integrated mayoral election for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province is seen as a stark indication of the National Innovation Party’s current predicament.

During the 22nd general elections, the party adopted a fresh strategy with the slogan “Democratic Party for constituencies, National Innovation Party for proportional representation,” securing 12 seats just a month after its founding. Now, however, it has failed to put forward any similarly innovative strategy, to the disappointment of many observers.

Some critics have even suggested that the party might be deliberately aligning its moves with the Democratic Party, possibly with the intention of a future merger.

Local civil society points to a deeper, more fundamental limitation. Kiwushik, Secretary General of the Gwangju Citizens’ Coalition, said, “Given the local political structure, it is inevitable that many competitive figures are former Democratic Party members. However, to overcome this structure, the party needs a clear rationale and direction.” He added, “If the National Innovation Party wants to establish itself as a legitimate political force, it must re-examine the basics, starting with candidate vetting and verification.”

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