Cautious Debate Emerges Over Nomination for Next April's By-Election
Over 11 Million Voters in Seoul and Busan Mayors... 'Mini Presidential Election' Level
Kim Bu-gyeom: "If Necessary, Even Amend Party Rules"
Former lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom is answering questions during a press conference at the Ulsan City Council Press Center on the morning of the 14th. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Following the vacancy of the Busan mayoral position, the Seoul mayoral seat has also become vacant, drawing attention to whether the Democratic Party of Korea will field candidates in the by-elections scheduled for April 2021.
The Democratic Party's party constitution stipulates that if a party-affiliated public official loses their position due to a serious wrongdoing, the party will not nominate a candidate in the corresponding electoral district. However, since the mayoral positions of the two largest cities, Seoul and Busan, are at stake, voices are emerging that candidates should be fielded.
Lee Nak-yeon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and a leading contender for the next party leadership, expressed a cautious stance regarding the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-election candidates. When asked about the issue after a forum held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the morning of the 14th, Lee said, "I will speak when the time comes," avoiding a direct answer.
Meanwhile, Kim Boo-kyum, a former Democratic Party lawmaker who declared his candidacy for party leader, stated that the decision on whether to nominate candidates would be made based on party members' opinions.
In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 14th, Kim said, "It has become too big an issue to insist solely on our party constitution and regulations," adding, "I believe the party constitution should be respected, but the judgment of party comrades should be prioritized regarding whether to field candidates."
On the following day (the 15th), Kim reiterated his intention to nominate candidates in a post on his Facebook, stating, "After much deliberation, I responded that if I become party leader, I will respect the party constitution but ultimately decide (on nominations) by consulting party members' wishes," and added, "I will sincerely apologize to the public and ask for their understanding. If necessary, I will also amend the party constitution."
The reason the Democratic Party is approaching the nomination of by-election candidates cautiously is due to the party constitution. Article 96, Paragraph 2 of the Democratic Party's constitution and regulations states, "If an elected official affiliated with the party loses their position due to serious wrongdoing such as corruption, and a by-election is held, the party shall not nominate a candidate in the corresponding electoral district."
In fact, after former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don resigned in April amid sexual harassment allegations, there were opinions within the party that it would be better not to field a candidate for the Busan mayoral election. Jeon Jae-soo, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the Democratic Party's Busan branch, argued on the 13th, "In next year's Busan mayoral by-election, the Democratic Party should not field a candidate and instead focus on doing well in the next election."
However, with the Seoul mayoral seat also vacant, the number of voters in next year's by-elections exceeds 11 million, effectively making it a "mini presidential election," leading to growing calls to field candidates even if it means amending the party constitution. According to the National Election Commission, based on the 21st general election, Seoul has 8.46 million voters and Busan has 2.95 million voters, totaling 11.41 million voters who can participate in the upcoming by-elections.
While cautious opinions prevail within the party regarding nominations, pro-government netizens expressed divided views. One netizen wrote on Twitter, "Not nominating candidates in the two largest cities in our country means giving up on national governance," emphasizing, "We must go to the by-elections even if it means changing the law (party constitution)."
On the other hand, another netizen said, "With public trust collapsed, what image would it be if candidates are fielded in the by-elections?" and added, "Here, it's a no-go (giving up)."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
