[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to strategically nominate lawyer Kim Nam-guk, the author of the 'Jo Guk White Paper Promotion Committee,' for Ansan Danwon in the April 15 general election. Additionally, former Daegu High Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor So Byung-chul, the fourth recruited talent, was strategically nominated for Jeonnam Suncheon Gwangyang Gokseong Gurye.
On the 8th, Do Jong-hwan, chairman of the Democratic Party's Strategic Nomination Committee, announced the results of strategic nominations for five locations, including these, to reporters after the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting.
Regarding Kim Nam-guk's nomination for Ansan Danwon, Chairman Do explained, "He is a young candidate serving as the vice chairman of the Democratic Party's Legal Committee, now 37 years old," adding, "As a lawyer who uncovered the truth behind the National Intelligence Service spy fabrication case, the party judged him to be the right person to expedite prosecutorial reform and, further, reform of power institutions."
Regarding the background of former Chief Prosecutor So's nomination, he said, "He is from Suncheon, Jeonnam, has served in key prosecutorial positions such as head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute for 30 years, and has been highly evaluated for thorough self-management and meticulous work," adding, "He also has the will to represent the socially vulnerable rather than defend vested interests, making him a candidate symbolizing the Democratic Party's commitment to a fair society where all citizens are equal before the law."
In Seoul Geumcheon, former Chief Judge Choi Ki-sang was strategically nominated. He is also a recruited talent of the Democratic Party. Chairman Do said, "He has always stood on the side of the socially vulnerable, such as issuing compensation rulings for forced labor victims at Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries," and "Choi, who served as chair of the National Judges' Conference, is expected to create a National Assembly that the public can trust."
The Democratic Party also decided to strategically nominate former Seoul City Administrative Deputy Mayor Kang Tae-woong for Seoul Yongsan, and former Gangwon Provincial Police Chief Won Kyung-hwan for Gangwon Hongcheon Hoengseong Yeongwol Pyeongchang. In particular, with Kang's confirmed nomination in Yongsan, the position of former Blue House Press Secretary Kwon Hyuk-ki, who had long built support there, has become uncertain.
Additionally, the Democratic Party approved the primary candidates and methods for seven strategic electoral districts. First, in the merged Gyeonggi Gunpo district, MPs Kim Jung-woo and Lee Hak-young will compete in a primary with 50% votes from party members and 50% from general citizens.
In Seoul Dongdaemun-eul, Kim Hyun-ji, deputy head of the Central Election Committee's COVID-19 Countermeasures Promotion Team, and Jang Kyung-tae, youth committee chairman, will face off. This district was selected as a youth strategic nomination area after incumbent MP Min Byung-doo was cut off.
Also, in Gyeongnam Gimhae-eul, incumbent MP Kim Jung-ho and former Military Manpower Administration head Ki Chan-soo will compete in a primary. Previously, Kim was cut off by the Strategic Nomination Committee but was saved by the Supreme Council's decision that day.
In Gangwon Chuncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, and Yanggu Gap, Gangwon Provincial Party Chairman Heo Young and former Deputy Prime Minister Yuk Dong-han will compete, while in Ansan Danwon Gap, former MP Kim Hyun and invited professor Ko Young-in of Shin Ansan University will contest the primary.
Except for Gunpo, all other primary regions announced that day will select candidates through public opinion polls among general citizens.
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