DPK to Nominate First Recruit Taejin Jeon for Ulsan Namgap... "Lee Kwangjae a Strong By-Election Candidate"

Reassignment of Respected Party Figures Planned

"Lee Kwangjae, Who Prioritized the Party, Remains Competitive Even in Popular Hotspots"

The Democratic Party of Korea announced that Jeon Taejin, the party's first officially recruited talent, will be placed as the candidate for Ulsan Namgap in the by-election to be held alongside the June 3 nationwide local elections. Additionally, the party stated that Lee Kwangjae, former lawmaker and former governor of Gangwon Province—who yielded his candidacy in the Gangwon gubernatorial race to Woo Sangho—will be considered a leading candidate for the by-election.

On April 20, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, held a press briefing at the National Assembly, stating, "Since the lawmakers have not yet resigned, the seats are not vacant, but we plan to announce the anticipated candidates in advance."

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Donghae Lee = Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held an urgent press conference at the National Assembly on the 20th, stating, "Incumbent lawmakers confirmed as candidates for metropolitan mayors will collectively resign on the 29th," and "Attorney Jeon Taejin will be strategically nominated as the candidate for the Ulsan Namgap by-election." 2026.4.20 eastsea@yna.co.kr (End)

Hwang Hee, Chair of the Democratic Party's Strategic Nomination Management Committee, said, "Ulsan Namgap is considered the most challenging constituency for the Democratic Party among the by-election districts. The very act of placing the most outstanding and fresh candidate in the most difficult constituency is symbolic. The party's Strategic Nomination Committee has reported to the party and Leader Jeong that Attorney Jeon should be placed in Ulsan Namgap."

Leader Jeong explained that by-election candidates would be nominated based on three criteria: recruitment of new talent, internal selection, and reassignment of respected party figures. He added, "Because by-election nominations are strategic, the Strategic Nomination Committee will review and report to the party leader, and the final nomination will be confirmed through approval by the Supreme Council and the Party Affairs Committee."

Incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers confirmed as candidates for metropolitan mayoral positions are scheduled to collectively resign on April 29. If a candidate is confirmed as a strategic nominee for a by-election before the 29th, the nomination will subsequently be finalized through the Supreme Council and the Party Affairs Committee.

Referring to former lawmaker Lee, Leader Jeong said, "Those who are highly respected and have made significant sacrifices for the party are being considered. Although former lawmaker Lee was a strong candidate for the Gangwon governor post, he yielded to Woo Sangho, demonstrating selflessness for the party, which moved many people." He continued, "There are many who feel regret about former lawmaker Lee, and there are growing calls to give him an opportunity in the upcoming by-election."

He further added, "I believe that even if former lawmaker Lee runs in a region that has recently become popular, he would be very competitive."

In response to a question about whether former leader Song Younggil is being considered as a candidate for Hanamgap, Leader Jeong replied, "He is being considered."

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