Gwangsan-eul By-election Candidates Take Shape... Democratic Party Narrows Down Strategic Nominees

The pool of potential candidates for the by-election in Gwangsan-eul, Gwangju, which became vacant due to Min Hyung-bae, the former Democratic Party candidate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special Mayor, running for office, is gradually becoming clearer. As the party's decision on whether to make a strategic nomination is imminent, the electoral landscape is also being rapidly reshaped.

According to coverage by The Asia Business Daily on May 5, the most prominent figure recently is Moonyoung Lim, Executive Vice Chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee. Born in Gwangju in 1966, Lim graduated from Gwangju Salesio High School and Yonsei University with a degree in Political Science and Diplomacy. He also earned a master's degree from Yonsei University's Graduate School of Communication & Public Relations and a doctorate from Hoseo University's Graduate School of Technology Management.

Im Munyoung, Vice Chairman of the National AI Strategy Committee, is giving a congratulatory speech at the 3rd Asia AI Awards Ceremony held on December 18 last year at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

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After engaging in online communities based on PC communication services such as HiTEL and Nowcom, Lim became a founding member of Nowcom. He later served as Media Center Director at iMBC and accumulated experience in media operations. He has also been involved in editing and operating National Assembly news.

In the policy field, Lim served as Director of Informatization Policy and Director of Future Growth Policy during Lee Jaemyung's tenure as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, overseeing policies related to AI, big data, and digital transformation. During the 2025 presidential election period, he participated in designing related pledges as the Chair of the Democratic Party's Digital Special Committee. He also gained policy implementation experience as an executive director of the Gyeonggi Institute of Science & Technology Promotion. His career, spanning technology, policy, and media, is seen as enhancing his symbolic value as a strategic nomination card.

Meanwhile, Moon Sunghak, the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who was once considered a strong candidate, currently appears to be taking a step back. Born in Haenam, Jeonnam in 1967, Moon graduated from Chosun University High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Economics. After passing the 38th Higher Civil Service Examination, he served as Director of Nuclear Power Industry Policy, Director of Nuclear Power Project Policy, and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, establishing himself as a career bureaucrat. He received a minor disciplinary action from the Board of Audit and Inspection during the Moon Jae-in administration regarding the economic feasibility assessment of Wolseong Unit 1. After the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration in June last year, he returned as the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Soo Nak Moon, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Asia Business Daily DB.

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The electoral landscape is expanding to include not only the ruling and opposition parties but also a third bloc. In the People Power Party, former mayoral preliminary candidate Ahn Taeuk has announced his candidacy. The Progressive Party has finalized Jeon Jooyeon as its candidate, while the Basic Income Party has confirmed Shin Ji-hye as its candidate. Koo Bonggi, former head of the Candlelight Action movement, has declared his intention to run as an independent.

The Democratic Party's final decision is also imminent. Secretary-General Cho Seungrae stated regarding the party's strategy for nominations in the National Assembly by-elections, "If possible, I think we can finalize it by the 6th," raising the possibility that the Gwangsan-eul candidate lineup could be revealed within this week.

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