[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Justice Party is seeking unification with the Democratic Party of Korea in some constituencies, but the prospects remain uncertain. With ballot printing scheduled to begin on the 6th, there is little time left. Min Kyung-wook, the United Future Party candidate who made a comeback in the primary and is running in Yeonsu-eul, Incheon, is expected to benefit from this situation.
In the Yeonsu-eul constituency, Min is competing against Jeong Il-young of the Democratic Party of Korea and Lee Jeong-mi of the Justice Party. On the 3rd, Jeong stated in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "We will not unify, and there will be no unification going forward."
Unlike past general elections, the Justice Party's principle is that there will be no party-level unification with the Democratic Party. However, they are open to discussions in the Yeonsu-eul and Changwon Seongsan constituencies. Nevertheless, given Jeong's firm stance, it is safe to say that at least in Yeonsu-eul, a three-way race has solidified.
Looking solely at the poll results, Min is leading. According to a survey conducted by Jowon C&I on 502 respondents from the 29th to 30th of last month, commissioned by Gyeonggi Ilbo and Giho Ilbo, Min's support rate was 39.5%, Jeong's 31.4%, and Lee's 19.4%. (At a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of ±4.4%p; for more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website)
Before the nomination screening in February, Min stirred controversy by posting harsh profanity on his Facebook. After several rounds of nomination and rejection, he barely secured a spot in the general election. Former lawmaker Min Hyun-joo, who was displaced by Min, revealed, "I heard that Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn asked former nomination committee chairman Kim Hyung-oh to endorse Min Kyung-wook's nomination." Min will face the general election with two candidates from the progressive camp running separately.
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