Kim Seong-chan, Deputy Chair of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, and 9 Others Mentioned as Self-Nominated or Proposed
Jeong Cheol-hee, County Council Chair, Runs as Independent... Non-Democratic Candidates Also 'Active'
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The by-election to elect the mayor of Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, will be held on April 15, alongside the National Assembly elections.
This is because former Hampyeong-gun mayor Lee Yun-haeng was removed from office last year due to charges of violating election laws.
On May 30 of last year, the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of 10 months imprisonment with a 2-year probation, resulting in Lee losing his position, and the county administration immediately shifted to a deputy mayor acting as mayor.
As a result, even before the preliminary candidate registration, figures mentioned in the region have continued to emerge, intensifying the behind-the-scenes competition.
According to local political circles on the 23rd, preliminary candidate registration for the Hampyeong-gun mayoral by-election will begin on the 2nd of next month.
Currently, nine individuals (6 from the Democratic Party of Korea and 3 independents) are being mentioned in the region, some holding press conferences to declare their candidacy.
On the 17th, Kim Seong-chan, Deputy Chair of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party’s Central Party, held a press conference at the Hampyeong 5-day Market and officially declared his candidacy for the Hampyeong-gun mayoral by-election, marking the start of his active campaign.
At this event, candidate Kim presented three major propositions as policies for Hampyeong’s future vision: “A Hampyeong You Want to Stay In,” “A Hampyeong You Want to Return To,” and “A Hampyeong You Want to Visit Again.”
He stated, “Based on the tourism infrastructure and know-how accumulated in Hampyeong so far, I will inherit and develop Hampyeong’s precious brands of butterflies and Hanwoo (Korean beef), and significantly strengthen sports marketing. I will communicate humbly and with a low profile, always learn from the residents, focus solely on the citizens, and create a happy change in Hampyeong.”
He added, “Thinking of the hardships and worries of parents who have devoted all their sacrifices and efforts to their children’s lives and education despite difficult circumstances, I will seriously contemplate the development of my hometown Hampyeong.”
Earlier, on December 7 last year, Lee Sang-ik, Vice Chair of the Jeonnam Provincial Party of the Democratic Party, held a book launch event for his book “Life Wisdom Learned from Agricultural Product Distribution.”
Although he has not officially announced his position yet, it is analyzed as a preparatory move to run in the Hampyeong-gun mayoral by-election.
However, as the by-election atmosphere is heating up, it is known that he is also showing a cautious stance.
Jeong Moon-ho, a special committee member of the Democratic Party’s Central Party, is also expected to begin full-scale election campaigning after registering as a preliminary candidate on the 2nd of next month.
Im Yong-su, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, is also reported to be planning to run.
He was selected as the recipient of the “2018 Local Assembly Manifesto Promise Award” based on his active legislative activities, including efforts to resolve local issues as a provincial assembly member.
Former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Kim Seong-ho, who served in the 7th and 8th assemblies, is also regarded as having proven political capabilities and is expected to challenge the by-election based on his long-standing recognition in political circles.
Central Party special committee member Yoo Jae-gi also appears to be considering running.
In the Hampyeong area, the atmosphere is such that “Democratic Party nomination equals election victory,” so candidates nominated by the Democratic Party are expected to have an advantage, but candidates opposing the Democratic Party candidates are also formidable.
On December 20 last year, Jeong Cheol-hee, chairman of the Hampyeong County Council, held a press conference to officially declare his candidacy, but on the 16th, he left the Democratic Party and announced his independent candidacy, objecting to the primary election method.
Chairman Jeong said, “The unfair rule of giving up to 20% additional points to political newcomers and deducting 25% from elected officials in the primary is not only procedurally unfair but also greatly diverges from the local public sentiment. Now, wearing the new clothes given by the residents, I will boldly move forward with the residents and fulfill my last duty to build a warm Hampyeong where everyone goes together.”
Former Hampyeong Police Station Intelligence Division Chief Shin Kyung-seon also held an official candidacy press conference on the 20th and started full-scale election campaigning.
Candidate Shin stated, “I decided to run to reconcile the divided public sentiment and local conflicts and to create a new and dynamic new era for Hampyeong.”
Jeong Du-sook, a former KBS producer, is also showing active local activities, saying, “I will bring a new breeze to Hampyeong. I will prepare ways to restore Hampyeong’s pride.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
