No End in Sight for Ruling Party Coordination... Kim Namjoon and Song Younggil Grow Impatient

As the by-elections scheduled for June 3 are shaping up to be a 'mini general election,' coordination between Namjoon Kim, former Blue House spokesperson, and Younggil Song, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea-both of whom have already announced their intention to run-has been delayed.

According to political sources on March 13, former spokesperson Kim resigned from his post on February 20 and has since begun preparing in earnest to run for the Incheon Gyeyang B district. On the same day, former leader Song submitted his re-admittance application to the Incheon branch of the Democratic Party of Korea. However, nearly three weeks have passed, and the party leadership has yet to reveal its stance.

Namjoon Kim, former Blue House spokesperson (left), and Younggil Song, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Yonhap News.

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Recently, in radio and television interviews, Song stated, "I will wait for the party leadership’s decision," but also raised the stakes by saying, "I will not leave Gyeyang-gu of my own accord." He also indirectly expressed his discontent toward Representative Jeong Cheongrae, who only attended Kim’s publication event, by saying, "Isn’t that practically a public endorsement?"

Although former spokesperson Kim resigned before the official deadline for public office candidates on March 5 under the Public Official Election Act, he has been keeping a low profile in the Gyeyang district. Both within and outside political circles, there is ongoing speculation that Song, who previously served as the party leader, may run in another constituency, such as Incheon Yeonsu A or a district in the Honam region.

The outline of the by-elections is expected to become clearer once the pool of candidates for the local elections is narrowed down. Representative Chan-dae Park, who is the sole candidate for Incheon mayor, said on KBS Radio, "If we only consider Incheon, a decision could be made by the end of March, but if we look at the national landscape, it could take until early or mid-April. Personally, I hope a swift decision is made."

Meanwhile, the by-elections for the National Assembly have been confirmed in five districts, including Incheon Gyeyang B, Pyeongtaek E and Ansan A in Gyeonggi Province, Asan B in South Chungcheong Province, and Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan A in North Jeolla Province. However, once the nominations for the local elections are finalized, the number of districts could expand to around ten. Among the possible candidates being mentioned are Yong Kim, former deputy director of the Institute for Democracy (Pyeongtaek E, Gyeonggi Province); Uigyeom Kim, former head of the Saemangeum Development Authority (Gunsan, North Jeolla Province); and Namguk Kim, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea (Ansan A, Gyeonggi Province).

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