[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has fired the starting gun for the party primary race by prioritizing the confirmation of 52 constituencies for the April 15 general election primaries.
On the 13th, the Democratic Party completed interviews for preliminary candidates and announced the first round of 52 primary constituencies. By region, there are 23 in Seoul and the metropolitan area, 6 in Chungcheong, 7 in Honam, 3 in Daegu·Gyeongbuk, 10 in Busan·Gyeongnam, and 3 in Gangwon·Jeju.
Among these, 21 constituencies in the first round of primaries include incumbent district lawmakers. The most notable contests are undoubtedly the face-offs between incumbents and former Blue House officials.
In Namyangju-eul, Gyeonggi Province, Representative Kim Han-jung competes against former Blue House Personnel Secretary Kim Bong-jun, while in Seongbuk-gap, Seoul, Representative Yoo Seung-hee faces former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Kim Young-bae. In Eunpyeong-eul, Seoul, Representative Kang Byung-won and former Blue House Autonomy Development Secretary Kim Woo-young will compete in the preliminaries. Notably, Seongbuk-gap and Eunpyeong-eul are also drawing attention as contests between incumbents and former district mayors.
Although not direct contests against incumbents, many former Blue House officials will also compete in primaries against prominent local candidates. This is interpreted as a measure to address criticism of "parachute candidates."
Former Blue House Job Chief Secretary Jeong Tae-ho will compete against former lawmaker Yoo Jong-pil in Gwanak-eul, Seoul, and former Blue House Public Communication Chief Secretary Yoon Young-chan will face former local committee chairman Jo Shin in Jungwon, Seongnam. Former Blue House Political Affairs Chief Secretary Han Byung-do will compete against candidate Kim Sung-joong in Iksan-eul, Jeonbuk, and former Blue House Senior Administrative Officer Nam Young-hee will compete against candidate Park Woo-seop in Michuhol-eul, Incheon.
The contest in Dongan-gap, Anyang, where incumbents face off, is also attracting attention. Here, six-term Representative Lee Seok-hyun, aiming to be the longest-serving member of the 21st National Assembly, first-term proportional representative Kwon Mi-hyuk, and lawyer Min Byung-duk are expected to fiercely compete to advance to the main election.
Additionally, former lawmaker Kim Min-seok, aiming to return to the National Assembly after 18 years, has confirmed a contest against incumbent Representative Shin Kyung-min in Yeongdeungpo-eul, Seoul, and lawyer Kwak Sang-eon, son-in-law of former President Roh Moo-hyun, will face candidate Sung Nak-hyun in Boeun·Okcheon·Yeongdong·Goesan, Chungbuk.
Song Byung-gi, former Ulsan City Deputy Mayor of Economy, involved in the 'Ulsan Mayor's ordered investigation and election interference suspicion' case, will compete in the primary against former local committee chairman Shim Kyu-myung in Nam-gu-gap, Ulsan.
The Democratic Party's candidate primaries will be held from the 24th to the 26th. The process will reflect 50% each from party members' votes and public opinion polls. The Democratic Party plans to announce the second round of primary constituencies on the 16th.
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