This Week Marks D-50 for Local Elections...Party Matchups Rapidly Taking Shape

This week marks D-50 for the 9th nationwide local elections, which will be held on June 3. The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party are set to finalize most of their remaining candidates for metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial positions.

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April 14 will mark D-50 for the June 3 local elections. The election fever in Yeouido’s political circles is already intensifying. The official candidate registration by the National Election Commission will take place on May 14-15, and the major candidates of both parties are expected to be finalized by the end of this month at the latest. In the 8th nationwide local elections, the People Power Party secured victories in 12 metropolitan areas, while the Democratic Party of Korea managed only 5. This time, the Democratic Party is projected to have the upper hand, but the opposition is making a concerted effort to stage a comeback. The main focus is on the candidate matchups between the two parties.

On April 13 in the afternoon, the Democratic Party will announce its final candidate for Daejeon mayor. Assemblyman Jang Cheolmin and former Daejeon mayor Heo Taejeong are awaiting the results of the runoff. The People Power Party has already nominated the incumbent mayor, Lee Jangwoo, as its sole candidate.

On April 14, the results of the Democratic Party’s runoff for the special mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration between Assemblyman Min Hyungbae and incumbent Jeonnam governor Kim Youngrok will be announced. In the People Power Party, former nomination committee chairman Lee Junghyun and former Gwangju city party leader Ahn Taewook have declared their bids.

On April 15, the results of the Democratic Party’s runoff for South Chungcheong governor will be revealed. Assemblyman Park Suhyeon, who previously served as the Blue House spokesperson and chief party spokesperson, and former four-term lawmaker Yang Seungjo, who previously served as South Chungcheong governor, are competing in the runoff. In the People Power Party, incumbent governor Kim Taeheum has been nominated as the sole candidate.

The results of the Democratic Party’s runoff for Sejong mayor between former mayor Lee Chunhee and former Sejong deputy mayor for economic affairs Jo Sangho will be announced on April 16 in the afternoon. The People Power Party has nominated incumbent mayor Choi Minho as its sole candidate.

The Democratic Party’s candidate for Jeju governor will be decided on April 18. Assemblymen Wi Seonggon and Moon Daerim are facing a runoff over three days starting April 16. The People Power Party’s candidate is Moon Seongyu, former CEO of Korea Asset Management Corporation.

On April 18, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor will also be determined. The primary is a three-way race among incumbent Seoul mayor Oh Sehoon, Assemblyman Park Sumin, and former Assemblywoman Yoon Heesook.

Meanwhile, as of April 12, the candidate lineups for both parties have been finalized in five metropolitan areas: Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, Gangwon, and Gyeongnam.

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