Democratic Party Nomination Committee Cuts Incumbent Jeong Jae-ho for Second Time... Lee Gae-ho Confirmed for Nomination

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party's Nomination Management Committee has decided to 'cut off' (exclude from nomination) a second incumbent lawmaker.

On the 19th, the Democratic Party's Nomination Committee announced that after reviewing 44 districts, it classified the constituency of incumbent lawmaker Jeong Jae-ho in Goyang-eul, Gyeonggi Province, as a strategic district. This is the second time an incumbent lawmaker has been cut off, following lawmaker Shin Chang-hyun (Uiwang-Gwacheon, Gyeonggi).

Jeong's side has not issued a separate statement regarding this matter. Earlier, when Shin's cut-off was confirmed, he said, "Although it is a decision difficult to accept, I thought it was not a matter to practically challenge the party's decision," indicating he would not apply for a reconsideration. Regarding this, a Democratic Party official explained, "The cut-off of lawmaker Jeong requires approval from the party's supreme council."

Along with Goyang-eul, Seoul Jung-gu and Seongdong-eul, where four non-incumbent candidates including Ha Seung-chang, Jeon Soon-ok, Lee Ji-su, and Shin Jong-hwa applied for nomination, were also classified as strategic districts. Eighteen districts were selected for primaries. In particular, in Seoul Nowon-gap (Ko Yong-jin and Yoo Song-hwa) and Mapo-gap (Noh Woong-rae and Kim Bin), incumbent lawmakers and former Blue House-affiliated candidates will compete in primaries. Additionally, incumbents will also face primaries in Anyang Dongan-eul (Lee Jae-jung and Lee Jeong-guk), Yongin-byeong (Jung Chun-sook and Lee Hong-young), and Hwaseong-gap, Gyeonggi (Song Ok-joo and Jo Dae-hyun).

Among the eight districts announced as single-candidate districts, the only incumbent lawmaker was Ki Gae-ho of Damyang-Hampyeong-Yeonggwang-Jangseong in Jeollanam-do. Lawmaker Ki, who is a strong candidate for the Honam regional election committee chairperson, is the first incumbent lawmaker to have his nomination confirmed. The Nomination Committee has not yet made a decision regarding lawmakers Min Byung-doo (Dongdaemun-eul, Seoul) and Lee Hoon (Geumcheon, Seoul), who were requested for detailed review by the Public Office Candidate Verification Committee. Additionally, single nominations were confirmed for Heo Dae-man in Pohang Nam-gu and Ulleung, Gyeongbuk; Yang Moon-seok in Tongyeong and Goseong, Gyeongnam; Yoon Joon-byung in Jeongeup and Gochang, Jeonbuk; Lee Won-taek in Gimje and Buan; Park Sung-hyun in Dongnae, Busan; Kang Yoon-kyung in Suyeong; and Kim Dae-jin in Dalseo-byeong, Daegu.

The Democratic Party plans to launch the general election campaign committee on the 20th and enter a full-scale primary system. Primaries will begin from the 24th to 25th, and related procedures are expected to be completed before the 15th of next month.