Seongnam Bundang Gap, Incheon Gyeyang Eul... Lee Jae-myung's Possible Candidacy
"Must Run to Win" vs "Still Premature" Conflicting Views
Experts: "Controversial but High Chances of Winning"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Speculation about the recruitment of Lee Jae-myung, Senior Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues unabated. There are claims that Advisor Lee should run in the by-elections for the National Assembly held alongside the June 1 local elections. However, some within the party still criticize that Advisor Lee’s early appearance, given his responsibility for the presidential election defeat, is premature.
Song Young-gil, former Democratic Party leader and the party’s Seoul mayoral candidate, appeared on KBS Radio’s 'Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs' on the 2nd and said, "Advisor Lee, who won the hearts of over 16 million people in the last presidential election, should participate together for the Democratic Party’s victory in this by-election or local election. The form it will take requires a public discussion process."
In an interview with MBC Radio’s 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus' on April 29, former leader Song also said, "My consistent position is that Advisor Lee entering the establishment would help national unity and political stability. (There is no problem with the candidacies of People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo or Presidential Transition Committee Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo who ran in the presidential election, so I wonder why only Advisor Lee is controversial."
The seven constituencies for the National Assembly by-elections held alongside the June 1 local elections are ▲Incheon Gyeyang Eul ▲Gyeonggi Seongnam Bundang Gap ▲Daegu Suseong Eul ▲Gangwon Wonju Gap ▲Chungnam Boryeong-Seocheon ▲Gyeongnam Changwon Chang ▲Jeju Jeju Eul. Among these, Advisor Lee is rumored to possibly run in Seongnam Bundang Gap and Incheon Gyeyang Eul. In particular, Seongnam Bundang Gap has attracted attention as a 'mini presidential election' due to the possibility of Ahn Cheol-soo, the Transition Committee Chairman, running there.
On March 10, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, was leaving Yeouido Central Party Office in Seoul after concluding the election campaign committee disbandment ceremony, being seen off by party officials. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Seongnam Bundang Gap is considered Advisor Lee’s political hometown, as he served as governor of Gyeonggi Province and mayor of Seongnam. However, the fact that this area includes places like Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong, which were at the center of development allegations during the last presidential election, poses a political burden for Advisor Lee.
Public opinion is also not favorable regarding Advisor Lee’s candidacy in the by-election. According to a poll commissioned by Asia Economy from Realmeter, conducted on April 27-28 among 1,010 adults residing in Gyeonggi Province (90% mobile, 10% landline, automated response), 57.8% opposed Advisor Lee’s run in the Gyeonggi National Assembly by-election, while only 35.5% supported it.
In this context, the other possible candidacy site is Incheon Gyeyang Eul, the constituency of former leader Song Young-gil. Since it is Song’s stronghold, where he served as a five-term lawmaker and mayor of Incheon, it could be a relatively favorable election for the ruling party.
Recently, the Democratic Party’s rights members’ bulletin board was flooded with posts demanding Advisor Lee’s nomination in the Incheon region, such as "Appoint Lee Jae-myung to Gyeyang" and "We must nominate Lee Jae-myung in Gyeyang." However, there are also many criticisms that Advisor Lee lacks justification to run in Incheon, where he has no special ties.
Above all, some within the party still believe that Advisor Lee’s early appearance is premature. Jin Sung-jun, the party’s floor deputy leader, said in an interview on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' on April 8, "It is too early for Advisor Lee to run in this by-election. It is premature. I think my view is common sense. (I believe the whole party thinks this way.)"
In the same party, lawmaker Lee Sang-min said on MBN’s 'Pressroom Comes' on April 5, regarding Advisor Lee’s role in the local elections and resumption of political activities, "Advisor Lee is the one responsible for the presidential election defeat. He should step back, rest, recharge, and carefully examine and resolve his leadership and various allegations. Now is not the time to step forward but to step back and reflect on himself."
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon analyzed, "If Advisor Lee runs in the National Assembly election, his chances of winning are high. Although there is a risk related to the Daejang-dong allegations, he still has high recognition as a former mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon Gyeyang Eul is also former leader Song Young-gil’s constituency, which will positively influence voters, so he is likely actively considering it. However, since many believe he should take a period of self-restraint after the presidential election defeat, his candidacy is politically controversial."
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