Former Spokespersons Gominjung and Park Suhyun Lead Polls Against Senior Opposition Politicians... Open Democratic Party Proportional Candidate Former Spokesperson Kim Euigyeom Also Shows Election Potential
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jung-min] Former Blue House spokespersons who served as the "mouthpiece of President Moon Jae-in" are performing well in competitive constituencies, contrary to initial expectations. Although it was widely anticipated that political newcomers would face difficulties competing against veteran politicians, the public opinion trend is showing a close race with unpredictable outcomes.
According to a poll conducted by Research & Research commissioned by Seoul Shinmun on June 3-4 among 503 residents aged 18 and over in the Gwangjin-eul district of Seoul, former Blue House spokesperson Go Min-jung, running as the Democratic Party candidate, recorded a support rate of 45.7%. Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, the United Future Party candidate, received 37.7%.
A poll conducted by Research & Research commissioned by Dong-A Ilbo on June 3-4 among 503 residents aged 18 and over in the Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang district showed that former Blue House spokesperson Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party candidate, garnered 43.8%. Incumbent United Future Party lawmaker Jeong Jin-seok, representing the district, remained at 37.6%.
Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang has traditionally been a stronghold for conservative parties. Although former spokesperson Park has previously served as a member of the National Assembly in the area, overcoming the four-term incumbent Jeong is widely seen as a formidable challenge. However, Park is competing closely within the margin of error based on local competitiveness.
It is also noteworthy that former spokesperson Go is engaged in a tight race against former Mayor Oh. As a political newcomer who inevitably lags behind in election experience and political career, Go’s strong performance against a major opposition presidential candidate has made this district one of the most significant battlegrounds among the 253 constituencies nationwide.
Another former Blue House spokesperson running in the 21st general election, Kim Eui-gyeom, is also experiencing favorable prospects. According to a poll conducted by Embrain Public commissioned by JoongAng Ilbo on June 3-4 among 1,000 respondents aged 18 and over, the Open Democratic Party recorded a support rate of 9.9% in the proportional representation vote, predicting the party will secure eight proportional seats.
After failing to run in the Gunsan district of Jeonbuk, Kim, who is fourth on the Open Democratic Party’s proportional representation list, now has increased chances of being elected as a member of the National Assembly. Detailed results of the polls by JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-A Ilbo, and Seoul Shinmun can be found on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.
Park Sang-byeong, a visiting professor at Inha University Graduate School of Policy, commented, "Among the former Blue House candidates, the spokesperson stands out the most to the public," adding, "If 'Moon Jae-in’s people' enter the National Assembly, the president’s governance will gain momentum."
Meanwhile, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication Yoon Young-chan is running as a Democratic Party candidate in Seongnam Jungwon-gu, competing strongly against four-term United Future Party lawmaker Shin Sang-jin. Yoon, who is running for public office for the first time, is engaged in a close race against Shin, who won the 18th and 20th general elections, according to public opinion polls.
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