Six People Power Party Gyeonggi Lawmakers Urge Swift Finalization of Gyeonggi Governor Candidate

All National Assembly members of the People Power Party with electoral districts in Gyeonggi Province have called on the party's Nomination Management Committee to "finalize the Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate and announce the final candidate as soon as possible."

On April 16, six lawmakers-Kim Seonkyo, Kim Sungwon, Song Seokjun, Ahn Cheolsoo, Kim Eunhye, and Kim Yongtae-submitted this request to the central party's Nomination Management Committee, stating, "The symbolic importance and influence of Gyeonggi Province must be taken into consideration."

Photo of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee meeting on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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The lawmakers pointed out, "With the selection of the Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate delayed, the election campaigns of basic local government heads in all 31 cities and counties across the province, as well as metropolitan and basic council candidates, have lost their focal point and are adrift."

They continued, "The Gyeonggi governor is essentially the commander of the metropolitan area elections. Holding an election without the commander being determined undermines organizational unity and creates a negative perception among voters that the party is unprepared."

They further appealed, "If the candidate is selected late at this point, there will be absolutely insufficient time for a winning, electable candidate to present a vision for provincial administration and expand contact with Gyeonggi's 14 million residents."

The lawmakers urged the Nomination Management Committee to make a strategic decision and promptly finalize the selection, choosing a candidate with the competitiveness and expansion potential to lead the overall race in Gyeonggi Province.

They added, "If we lose Gyeonggi Province, we lose the Seoul metropolitan area, and if we lose the metropolitan area, there is no victory in the local elections. We earnestly request the Nomination Management Committee to heed the urgent voices from the field and make a wise and swift decision."

Within the People Power Party, following applications by Supreme Council member Yang Hyangja and former lawmaker Ham Jinkyu for the Gyeonggi gubernatorial nomination, Supreme Council member Cho Gwanghan and former MBC announcer Lee Seongbae also added their names, bringing the total to four candidates.

In the case of the Democratic Party of Korea, lawmaker Choo Mi-ae was chosen as the final Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate on April 7. For the Reform Party, there is speculation that former lawmaker Cho Eungcheon may run as the Gyeonggi governor candidate.

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