[June 3 Election] Jeju Ruling and Opposition Parties in Turmoil... A 'Mud Fight' with No Policy in Sight

Logos of the Democratic Party of Korea Jeju Province and the People Power Party Jeju Province.

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With the June 3 local elections approaching, the Jeju region's political landscape is being swept up in unprecedented turmoil within both major parties, overshadowing any meaningful policy competition. In the Democratic Party of Korea’s Jeju Provincial Council nomination process, allegations of “phantom party members” raised by Councilmembers Hong Insook and Lee Seungah have escalated into a police complaint and the sealing of the primary ballots. Meanwhile, the People Power Party faces a leadership crisis and legal risks, with Chairman Ko Kicheol being referred to prosecutors on assault charges and internal strife preventing the party from fielding candidates in numerous districts. This has led to growing cynicism and disengagement among Jeju residents.

The internal conflict within the Democratic Party exploded on April 15, when Councilmember Hong Insook (Aradong-gap) held a press conference highlighting a 3.6-fold (359.3%) surge in party membership compared to four years ago, raising suspicions of false address registration. She filed a criminal complaint with the Jeju Dongbu Police Station.

On April 16, Councilmember Lee Seungah (Oradong) demanded an explanation from the party regarding suspicions of phantom party member involvement by a particular candidate’s camp. Consequently, the provincial party sealed the Oradong ballot box and halted the announcement of results, effectively causing a collapse in the credibility of the nomination system.

The People Power Party’s Jeju Provincial Party is facing even greater obstacles due to a lack of leadership and legal risks. On April 2, the Jeju Metropolitan Police Agency referred Chairman Ko Kicheol to prosecutors without detention on charges of assaulting a party official, inflicting severe reputational damage.

While Chairman Ko responded to calls for his resignation with legal action, on April 9, Party Committee Chairman Kim Seungwook held a press conference demanding Ko’s resignation, triggering an all-out leadership conflict. As a result, a “nomination disaster,” where the party is unable to field candidates in a majority of the 32 constituencies, is materializing.

The prevailing sentiment in the region is one of deep cynicism, with both ruling and opposition parties seen as having lost the ability to self-correct and locked in a contest of “who can perform worse.” The escalation of legal battles-such as the phantom party member complaint and prosecution for assault-has led to widespread criticism and the perception that the process of reflecting public opinion has been severely compromised.

Voters in Jeju are being sidelined as policy-free elections continue. The Democratic Party, emboldened by the notion that “winning the primary means winning the seat,” is stoking suspicions of unfairness. Meanwhile, the opposition, weakened and unable to field candidates, is consumed by internal strife, relegating the spirit of local democratic governance to the background.

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