"Mini General Election"-Level By-Elections Begin... Ruling Party Focuses on Field Campaigns, Opposition Faces Candidate Shortage

The parliamentary by-elections, scheduled to be held simultaneously with the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, are shaping up to be a "mini general election." This is due to the resignation of eight incumbent lawmakers who are running in the local elections. In particular, attention is focused on the races in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province-where Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, are both running-and in Buk-gap, Busan. The outcomes in these districts could have a significant impact on the political landscape of both the ruling and opposition parties after the local elections.

Kim Sangwook, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Ulsan Mayor, expresses his intention to resign from his National Assembly seat at the National Assembly Press Hall on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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According to political sources on the 29th, on this day, Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kim Sangwook (Ulsan Namgap), Min Hyungbae (Gwangju Gwangsan-eul), Park Suhyeon (Chungnam Gongju, Buyeo, Cheongyang), Park Chan-dae (Incheon Yeonsu-gap), Wi Seonggon (Seogwipo), Lee Wontaeck (Jeonbuk Gunsan, Gimje, Buan), Jeon Jae-soo (Busan Buk-gap), and Choo Mi-ae (Gyeonggi Hanam-gap), as well as People Power Party lawmaker Chu Kyungho (Daegu Dalseong-gun), resigned from their parliamentary positions. All of them have been nominated as candidates for metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial positions.

Upon stepping down, Chu Kyungho stated, "At a time when power is leaning to one side, the Republic of Korea needs a counterbalance to protect it," adding, "I will try to restore that balance, starting from Daegu." Kim Sangwook of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is running for Ulsan mayor, said, "By combining the functions of conservatism and progressivism, I will rebuild Ulsan through integration and practicality solely for the citizens."

Lawmakers who wish to run in the upcoming local elections must resign by June 4. However, in order for a by-election to be held concurrently with the local elections, they must step down by the 30th, leading to a concentration of resignations right before the deadline. As a result, the number of districts holding parliamentary by-elections has increased to 14, with nine new districts added to the five where by-election triggers had already occurred. This is why the upcoming by-elections are being referred to as a "mini general election."

The political world is closely watching the races in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, and Buk-gap, Busan, where Cho Kuk and Han Donghoon are running. If both candidates are elected, they could wield considerable influence over the political dynamics between the two major parties. With multiple candidates from various parties running in both districts, the issue of consolidating the opposition is also coming to the fore.

Especially in Buk-gap, Busan, the contest is heating up as Ha Jeongwoo, former Chief of AI Future Planning at the Blue House, has been nominated as the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, while the People Power Party is also expected to nominate a candidate. Jeong Sung-guk, a People Power Party lawmaker considered close to Han Donghoon, said on BBS radio, "The significance of this election is not just one seat."

However, with 35 days remaining before the by-elections, there is a significant difference in approach between the ruling and opposition parties. The ruling party is quickly finalizing candidates and conducting on-site campaigns. Democratic Party of Korea leader Jeong Cheongrae, after completing his parliamentary schedule on this day, visited the Deokpung Traditional Market in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, to support Lee Gwangjae, former governor of Gangwon Province and candidate for the Hanam-gap by-election. He is also scheduled to conduct field visits even on Labor Day, a public holiday, including meeting workers at the Pyeongtaek Port Maritime Traffic Control Center, who are unable to rest even on holidays. In this district, former lawmaker Kim Yongnam, who was recruited during the presidential election, has been strategically nominated.

In contrast, the People Power Party, which is aiming to retake lost seats, only finalized its by-election nomination schedule the previous day and is hastily setting up standards for primary screening and bonus points. However, it is experiencing difficulties in recruiting candidates, not only for the local elections but also for the by-elections, and has finalized candidates in only three districts so far.

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