There Was No Upset in the April 7 By-Elections... Into the Storm of Political Realignment

President Moon: "Governing with a Humble Attitude and Heavy Responsibility"... "Fulfilling Public Demands Such as Eradicating Real Estate Corruption"
Blue House Prepares Full Cabinet Reshuffle, Former Minister Kim Boo-kyum Emerges as Leading Successor to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Naju-seok, Oh Ju-yeon, Son Seon-hee] As the Blue House, pushed into crisis by the crushing defeat in the 'April 7 by-elections,' rushes to carry out a full-scale cabinet reshuffle, the possibility of appointing former Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Bu-gyeom as Prime Minister is rapidly emerging. Political realignment is also gaining momentum, with the Democratic Party and the People Power Party beginning discussions on forming a new leadership structure.

Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, conveyed President Moon Jae-in's message during a briefing at the Press Center on the 8th, saying, "We take the people's reprimand seriously. We will approach state affairs with a humbler attitude and a heavier sense of responsibility." A key Blue House official stated, "Efforts to realize the people's urgent demands revealed in this election?overcoming COVID-19, economic recovery, stabilizing livelihoods, and eradicating real estate corruption?will continue unwaveringly."

The Blue House is preparing to revitalize the atmosphere through a full cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is expected to submit his resignation around the 15th, after returning from his Iran visit scheduled for the 11th to 13th. Former Minister Kim, with four terms of experience, is emerging as the most likely final choice for Prime Minister by President Moon. Kim, who possesses both political acumen and administrative capabilities, is evaluated as the right person to overcome the ruling party's crisis.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is known that former Minister Kim recently visited the Blue House, leading to speculation that he has been assigned a political role. Considering that President Moon has previously appointed Prime Ministers from Honam such as Lee Nak-yeon and Chung Sye-kyun, the appointment of Kim, who hails from Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK), could serve as a figure for national integration.

Other candidates mentioned for Prime Minister include Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education; Park Jie-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service; Kim Young-joo, former Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association; and Won Hye-young, former Democratic Party lawmaker. Through this reshuffle, there is also a possibility of replacing Deputy Prime Minister Hong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byun Chang-heum, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Sung-hyuk, and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Hyun-soo.

Having experienced an election defeat, the Democratic Party discussed various reform measures such as the total resignation of the leadership and the formation of an emergency committee during a party meeting held that morning. Amid talks of postponing the presidential primary scheduled for September, there is speculation that the so-called 'pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) versus anti-Moon' conflict will surface.

Kim Boo-kyum, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is announcing the results of the 2018 National Safety Inspection at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The People Power Party is preparing for the 'post-Kim Jong-in' era. Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in held a farewell press conference and returned to private life. When reporters asked about the possibility of a meeting with former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Kim left a hint, saying, "As a private citizen, I can act freely." Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said regarding the issue of opposition party merger, "We will go through a process of reconciling differences."

Meanwhile, according to the final tally by the National Election Commission, People Power Party’s Oh Se-hoon won the Seoul mayoral election with 57.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun, who received 39.2%.

People Power Party’s Park Hyung-joon won the Busan mayoral election with 62.7% of the vote, beating Democratic Party candidate Kim Young-chun, who garnered 34.4%. The People Power Party also won in the local elections for Ulsan Nam-gu District Mayor and Gyeongnam Uiryeong County Governor. The final voter turnout for this election was 58.2% in Seoul and 52.7% in Busan.