"Democratic Party, Are You Playing a Game Where Both Seoul Mayor and District Heads Lose?"

Amid growing confusion over former leader Song Young-gil's Seoul mayoral candidacy, mentions include Rep. Kim Min-seok, former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Rep. Kang Byung-won, former Blue House National Security Office Deputy Chief Kim Hyun-jong, former Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong-man... Local committee chiefs in Seoul fiercely backing district mayoral candidates, causing widespread noise

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “I don’t know whether the Democratic Party is planning to contest the local elections or has given up.”

Mr. A from a Seoul district expressed this complaint on the morning of the 10th.

He lamented, “It has been just over a month since the presidential election defeat, but they still cannot get out of the mindset of ‘Jjeotjalsa (lost but fought well)’ despite losing by only 0.72%, showing no innovation or reform ahead of the important local elections. Also, a long-time presidential election loser is running as the Seoul mayor candidate, and the Seoul district party chairpersons are desperately trying to protect their vested interests,” he criticized.

Former leader Song Young-gil and Representative Park Ju-min have entered the race as preliminary candidates for Seoul mayor, while Representative Kim Min-seok is strongly criticizing them. In particular, Representative Kim has mentioned four individuals?former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, Representative Kang Byung-won, former Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Hyun-jong, and former Doosan Group Chairman Kim Yong-man?further accelerating the confusion.

However, on the 9th, former leader Song held a press conference at the National Assembly and stated a direct breakthrough stance, saying, “We need someone who can propose real estate policy solutions against Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.” He also explained his reason for running for Seoul mayor, saying, “About 40 Seoul city council members publicly requested my candidacy, and 3,000 party members sent 24.24 million won in small bills, asking me to ‘move to Seoul and fight for the party.’”

Amid repeated confusion over the Seoul mayoral candidates, there are also movements to put close aides of the district party chairpersons forward as candidates for Seoul district heads in several Seoul constituencies, causing controversy.

This is somewhat understandable given that the current district heads, who were easily elected in the 7th local elections held shortly after the North Korea?U.S. summit, have not maintained smooth relations with local party chairpersons over the past four years. However, it seems difficult to escape criticism of “installing their own people,” the source added.

There is also controversy over local party chairpersons, who should act as impartial judges, serving as chairpersons of preliminary candidates’ support committees. Along with this, allegations of leakage of the party member list have been raised, prompting opposition from rival candidates.

Seoul City Council member Song Myung-hwa from Gangdong-gu appears to have left the Democratic Party on the 8th after 20 years, seemingly due to these reasons.

Regarding this phenomenon, another Mr. B expressed regret, saying, “It is a difficult election even when united after the presidential defeat, but conflicts are breaking out everywhere, which is deeply concerning.”

In contrast, the People Power Party is quietly preparing for the election by putting up banners across Seoul saying “We are looking for capable candidates,” showing a contrasting image.