Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Hye-hoon and Other Incumbents Cut Off One After Another... Shim Jae-chul Confirmed for Nomination (Comprehensive)

Kim Hyung-o Election Committee Announces 2nd Round of Nominations for Seoul and Gyeonggi
Nomination Confirmed for Sae-Bosu Party Members Including Ji Sang-wook and Oh Shin-hwan...Incumbents from the Korean Party Also Included

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Lee Hye-woon (Seoul Seocho-gap) and Lee Eun-jae (Seoul Gangnam-byeong), lawmakers representing constituencies in the Seoul stronghold of the United Future Party, were consecutively excluded from the April general election nominations. Yoon Sang-hyun (Incheon Michuhol-eul), a three-term lawmaker once classified as pro-Park faction, was also cut off (excluded from nomination).

Floor leader Shim Jae-cheol, along with nine incumbent lawmakers and two non-incumbent figures, each received single-candidate nominations, confirming their candidacies. Among them were former New Conservative Party members Ji Sang-wook (Seoul Jung-gu Seongdong-eul) and Oh Shin-hwan (Seoul Gwanak-eul).

Kim Hyung-oh, chairman of the nomination committee, announced on the 21st that the committee held a meeting and decided on nominations for some areas in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

The committee designated Incheon Michuhol-eul, Seoul Seocho-gap, and Seoul Gangnam-gap, -eul, and -byeong as priority recommendation (strategic nomination) areas. Accordingly, incumbent constituency lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Hye-woon, and Lee Eun-jae were naturally excluded from nominations. Lee Jong-gu, representing Gangnam-gap and -eul, had previously expressed his intention to run in a difficult metropolitan district.

Chairman Kim said, "This decision was made after in-depth discussions by the nomination committee," adding, "This election is not simply about whether one candidate wins or loses; Seoul is connected not only to Seoul but also nationwide. The United Future Party made a difficult and challenging decision to show the public a changed and transformed image toward the future."

Regarding the possibility of Yoon and others running as independents, he said, "We have considered various factors," and added, "I believe they will make wise decisions and join the cause."

The committee confirmed a total of 11 nominations through single-candidate recommendations that day. Five-term floor leader Shim was single-nominated in Gyeonggi Anyang Dongan-eul, effectively confirming his candidacy. Among re-elected lawmakers, Kim Myung-yeon (Gyeonggi Ansan Danwon-gap), Hong Cheol-ho (Gyeonggi Gimpo-eul), Ham Jin-gyu (Gyeonggi Siheung-gap), Joo Kwang-deok (Gyeonggi Namyangju-byeong), and Oh Shin-hwan (Seoul Gwanak-eul) secured nominations. Among first-term lawmakers, Ji Sang-wook (Seoul Jung-gu Seongdong-eul), Kim Sung-won (Gyeonggi Dongducheon Yeoncheon), and Song Seok-jun (Gyeonggi Icheon) received nominations.

Non-incumbent figures Jeong Mi-kyung, Supreme Council member (Gyeonggi Suwon-eul), and Jeong Chan-min, former mayor of Yongin (Gyeonggi Yongin-gap), also received single nominations, effectively confirming their candidacies.

Chairman Kim said, "(Adjusting constituencies for those who lost nominations) is possible," adding, "Although the official application deadline has passed, if excellent candidates apply additionally, we will make special considerations." He added, "However, reallocation for those who come in later will inevitably be stricter."

The committee also finalized some metropolitan area primary election districts that day. In Seoul Seocho-eul, incumbent lawmaker Park Sung-joong will face former Blue House economic chief Kang Seok-hoon. In Seoul Mapo-gap, former lawmaker Kang Seung-gyu and Kim Woo-seok, the party leader’s full-time special advisor, will compete. Other primary election districts include Seoul Seodaemun-eul (Kim Soo-cheol, Song Joo-beom), Seoul Geumcheon-gu (Kang Seong-man, Kim Jun-yong, Lee Chang-ryong), Gyeonggi Uijeongbu-eul (Kook Eun-joo, Lee Hyung-seop), Incheon Namdong-eul (Kim Eun-seo, Park Jong-woo, Lee Won-bok), and Incheon Bupyeong-eul (Kang Chang-gyu, Koo Bon-cheol). The primaries will be held on the 28th and 29th.

Regarding the postponed Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) nomination interviews, Chairman Kim said, "Due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we have not yet decided. We will decide after additional interviews are conducted," adding, "Since gathering in one place is not ideal, we are considering conducting them via video conference."