Hong "Apologies to Suseong residents"... What Do You Think About the Midterm Resignation of an Incumbent Lawmaker?

Hong Resigns from Assembly Seat to Run for Daegu Mayor... Midterm Resignations Likely to Continue for Local Elections
Criticism Over By-election Costs, but Responsibility Lies with Citizens
Experts Say "Legal Sanctions Difficult... Party Must Establish Strict Nomination Rules"

People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo announced his resignation from the National Assembly on the 26th to run for mayor of Daegu. The photo shows Hong visiting Hongdae Street, interacting with supporters and the younger generation as he walks around the area. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Controversy is arising as incumbent lawmakers resign mid-term to run in the upcoming June 1 local elections. Criticism is mounting not only for breaking promises made to their constituents by running for other elections without completing their terms, but also for the enormous economic costs incurred due to by-elections. Experts emphasize that since it is legally difficult to sanction incumbent lawmakers for mid-term resignation, the role of political parties in establishing strict nomination criteria is crucial.

Hong Joon-pyo, who was selected as the People Power Party's candidate for Daegu mayor in the June 1 local elections, resigned from his National Assembly seat on the 26th. In a press release that day, Hong stated, "I have submitted my resignation as a National Assembly member," adding, "It has been two years since I was elected in the Daegu Suseong district in the 21st general election in 2020."

Hong also apologized for not completing his term. He said, "I regret leaving without finishing my term as a National Assembly member and apologize to the people and constituents. I will now step aside from central politics and focus on local administration," adding, "I will prepare a 50-year future for Daegu's glory and prosperity. I will personally oversee and repay the promises made to the Suseong district even as mayor of Daegu."

On the same day, Park Wan-su, confirmed as the People Power Party's candidate for Gyeongnam governor (Changwon Uichang), also submitted his resignation to the National Assembly. In a statement, Park said, "I apologize for resigning mid-term without completing my tenure," and added, "I will dedicate myself to developing Uichang and Changwon further by taking charge of provincial administration. I will definitely win the June 1 local elections and revive Gyeongnam by advancing industry and creating jobs so that young people return."

Such mid-term resignations by incumbent lawmakers to run in local elections are expected to continue. According to political circles, as of the 27th, by-elections for National Assembly seats have been confirmed in districts where candidates for 17 metropolitan and provincial governors have been selected: four People Power Party incumbents in Seongnam Bundang-gap (Kim Eun-hye, Gyeonggi governor candidate), Daegu Suseong (Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu mayor candidate), Chungnam Boryeong-Seocheon (Kim Tae-heum, Chungnam governor candidate), Gyeongnam Changwon Uichang (Park Wan-su, Gyeongnam governor candidate), and one Democratic Party incumbent in Gangwon Wonju-si Gap (Lee Kwang-jae, Gangwon governor candidate), totaling five districts.

Students at Keimyung College of Culture in Dalseo-gu, Daegu, are conducting a campaign to encourage citizens to vote in the local elections on June 1. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Including the ongoing Democratic Party primaries, up to four more districts may be added. For Seoul mayor, Song Young-gil (Incheon Gyeyang-eul) and former lawmaker Kim Jin-ae are competing in the primary. For Gyeonggi governor, lawmakers Ahn Min-seok (Gyeonggi Osan) and Cho Jung-sik (Gyeonggi Siheung-eul) are competing against former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon and former Suwon mayor Yeom Tae-young. Additionally, Ahn Ho-young (Jeonbuk Wanju-Jinan-Muju-Jangsu) and Oh Young-hoon (Jeju Jeju-eul) are participating in the Jeonbuk and Jeju governor primaries, respectively.

It has been a recurring practice during election seasons for elected officials to resign mid-term to run for other offices. Recently, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon resigned his National Assembly seat (Seoul Jongno-gu) to run in the 20th presidential election, followed by former Jeju governor Won Hee-ryong and Democratic Party senior advisor Lee Jae-myung resigning their posts as Jeju governor and Gyeonggi governor, respectively.

Incumbent lawmakers and officials choose mid-term resignation based on their political interests, but the cost is borne by the citizens. By-elections triggered by mid-term resignations are funded by taxpayers' money.

Consequently, political parties impose nomination penalties on incumbent lawmakers who run for elections. The People Power Party deducted 5% from the nomination score of incumbent lawmakers running for metropolitan and provincial governor positions in this local election.

Regarding this, experts advise that the role of political parties is important. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "There is a recurring pattern of incumbents abandoning their posts to run in elections solely for personal advancement. Elections have become playgrounds," criticizing, "Many 'politicians' abandon promises to the people and lack loyalty or responsibility, pursuing only personal gain."

He continued, "Since election costs are fully reimbursed if the candidate receives more than 15% of valid votes, candidates bear no financial burden, and in a country with freedom of occupation, there is no legal way to prevent this. In situations where legal sanctions are difficult, parties must play a role in filtering out 'politicians' by imposing penalties. Establishing strict internal nomination criteria is a priority," he said.