How Many Former Deputy Mayors Under Mayor Park Won-soon Will Enter the National Assembly?

Former Administrative Deputy Mayor Kang Tae-woong running in Yongsan, Seoul; Former Administrative Deputy Mayor Yoon Jun-byeong challenging Jeongeup and Gochang, Jeonbuk; Former Political Deputy Mayor Ha Seung-chang running in Jung and Seongdong-eul, Seoul; Former Political Deputy Mayor Jin Seong-jun running in Gangseo-eul, Seoul; Former Political Deputy Mayor Kim Won preparing for primary in Mokpo, Jeonnam

Kang Tae-woong, Former Administrative Deputy Mayor I

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Five former vice mayors who worked closely with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon are moving quickly to run in the 20th general election scheduled for April 15.

Among them, two remarkable figures who passed the civil service exam and served over 30 years in Seoul City, rising to the highest position a general public official can reach?the vice mayor at the vice-ministerial level?are Kang Tae-woong, former Administrative Vice Mayor 1 (Yongsan, Seoul), and Yoon Joon-byung, former Administrative Vice Mayor 1 (Jeongeup·Gochang, Jeonbuk). Both have been effectively recruited by the Democratic Party of Korea and are actively running.

Alongside them, three former Political Vice Mayors?Jin Sung-joon (Gangseo-eul, Seoul), Ha Seung-chang (Jung·Seongdong-eul, Seoul), and Kim Won-i (Mokpo, Jeonnam)?are also busily working to secure party nominations through primaries and other means.

Kang Tae-woong, who graduated from Yongsan Middle and High School and has a deep connection to Yongsan, passed the 33rd Administrative Examination after graduating from Seoul National University. He began his public service career in Seoul City, building a distinguished record as Administrative Director, Planning Officer, Press Officer, Administrative Director, Head of Economic Promotion Headquarters, and Chief of the Planning Office, before being appointed Administrative Vice Mayor 1 of Seoul City in June last year.

Former Vice Mayor Kang is recognized as one of the most capable senior officials in Seoul City history, with a career path similar to that of Ryu Kyung-gi, former Vice Mayor (currently Mayor of Jungnang District), who is regarded as the top talent among Seoul City senior officials.

This former Vice Mayor Kang suddenly received an offer to join the Democratic Party of Korea in January this year, resigning from his post after just over eight months as Seoul City Vice Mayor to enter politics.

On January 15, Kang stated, "I now accept the calling of politics as my own responsibility and intend to devote everything to uncovering the hidden potential of Yongsan, the heart of Seoul, using the practical experience and innovative strength I have developed in Seoul City."

He is known to have been offered party membership because he is well acquainted with Yongsan and its issues, such as the development of Yongsan Park, redevelopment projects like Hannam New Town, and the establishment of future industrial hubs, aiming to resolve local challenges and unlock potential.

Yoon Jun-byeong, Former Seoul City Administrative Deputy Mayor

Yoon Joon-byung, former Administrative Vice Mayor 1, hails from Jeongeup and passed the 26th Administrative Examination. After serving six years in public office in Jeonbuk Province, he transferred to Seoul City, where he held positions including Transportation Planning Officer, Deputy Mayor of Gwanak and Eunpyeong Districts, and Head of the Urban Transportation Headquarters, before serving as Administrative Vice Mayor 1 for about one year and four months.

Yoon is especially recognized as Seoul City's top transportation expert, credited with the successful integration of Seoul Metro and the Urban Railroad Corporation into the current Seoul Transportation Corporation.

Last year, Yoon was appointed as the Democratic Party's regional chairman for Jeongeup·Gochang and has been actively campaigning on the ground for over a year, ultimately being selected as the party's sole candidate.

Among former Political Vice Mayors, Ha Seung-chang, former Senior Secretary for Social Innovation at the Blue House, is running as a preliminary candidate in Jung·Seongdong-eul, Seoul. Ha, a former Policy Director at the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, is known for his extensive experience in civic organizations and is considered a Park Won-soon-aligned figure.

Jinseongjun, Former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs

Additionally, Jin Sung-joon, former Political Vice Mayor, is preparing for a primary in Gangseo-eul, Seoul.

Jin, who served as a proportional representative in the 18th National Assembly and as Political Secretary at the Blue House, later served as Political Vice Mayor under Mayor Park Won-soon.

Gangseo-eul is notable as former Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim Sung-tae announced he would not run, and Jin himself confidently stated, "Whoever runs will win," indicating a well-established local base.

Kim Won-i, former Political Vice Mayor, is preparing for a primary in his hometown of Mokpo, Jeonnam.

Kim, a graduate of Mokpo Maria High School and Sungkyunkwan University, entered politics through the late Kim Geun-tae faction. Though young, he is regarded as quickly solidifying his position based on extensive political experience, making the primary results highly anticipated.

Kim Won-i, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs

Thus, the five former vice mayors who served under Mayor Park Won-soon are running in this general election, and the results are expected to influence Mayor Park's future political standing.