Hong Jun-pyo Ignites Fire for Jongno Nomination... People Power Party's 'New Figure' and Democratic Party's 'Deliberation'

Kukim "Hong Jeong-uk Mentioned"
Democratic Party "No Suitable Candidate"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, are attending the '2022 Stock Market Festival' held on the 3rd in front of the Korea Exchange headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and are having a conversation. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] The five by-elections for National Assembly members to be held alongside the presidential election on March 9 are witnessing intense strategic battles over Jongno, known as the 'political number one district.' Jongno has traditionally been classified as a conservative-leaning area due to its higher average resident age and low population mobility compared to other parts of Seoul, but recent victories by Jeong Se-gyun and Lee Nak-yeon have led to analyses suggesting it is becoming a progressive stronghold, making the outcome difficult to predict.

According to political circles on the 21st, the People Power Party has settled on a strategic nomination for Jongno, given its political symbolism. The nomination discussions intensified after Representative Hong Joon-pyo recommended former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung during a meeting with presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol on the night of the 19th. Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, former Representatives Na Kyung-won and Yoo Seung-min have also been mentioned as potential candidates, but some quarters are referring to Hong Jung-wook, chairman of Organica. This came up while searching for a rational image candidate in their 40s to 50s who shows conservative tendencies. Chairman Hong served as a member of the 18th National Assembly for the Grand National Party (Seoul Nowon-gu B) and has experience running the media group Herald. The People Power Party plans to appoint the nomination committee chairman and complete the committee's composition through a supreme council resolution next week, if possible, before further nomination-related controversies arise. Currently, Secretary-General Kwon Young-se is reportedly the leading candidate for the nomination committee chairman.

Since Jongno was the constituency of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party appears to be in a dilemma. Presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung leans toward not nominating a candidate in Jongno, citing Lee's voluntary resignation, but a different sentiment is sensed within the party. A Democratic Party official said, "Lee Nak-yeon did not give up his constituency due to any misconduct," adding, "As a political party, it is proper to field a candidate." However, when it comes to who to nominate in Jongno, there are remarks that "there is no suitable person." Regarding the formation of the nomination committee, a Democratic Party official said, "There is no concrete plan yet, including the timing of its formation."