"Weren't They National Assembly Members? Former and Current Lawmakers Run for Local Government Positions 'Fever' [Friday Story]"

[Friday Story]
Current and Former Lawmakers Followed by Metropolitan Leaders Running for Local Mayoral Posts
Effect of Presidential Candidate Lee Jae-myung from Local Mayors + Strengthening Local Government Status
Impact of Democratic Party Sweep in General Election Aftermath

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok, Kang Joo-hee, Kwon Hyun-ji] Former and current members of the National Assembly, who are considered first-division players on the political stage, are turning their attention to local government heads, who were previously treated as 'second-division' players. There is a phenomenon where candidates for district heads with experience as re-elected lawmakers are emerging, and current lawmakers are flocking to run for metropolitan government heads. This is attributed to the increased recognition and status of local government heads after eight rounds of local elections, as well as the effect of former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who was a former basic local government head.

On the 6th, Asia Economy examined the trend in the number of former and current National Assembly members who ran for metropolitan government heads in 2014, 2018, and 2022. The number increased from 22 in 2014 to 25 in 2018. In the upcoming June 1 local elections, 25 candidates have expressed their intention to run through party nominations so far, and when independent candidates are added, the number is expected to surpass that of 2018.

Among the candidates for basic local government heads running in this election, figures who have been active in central politics stand out. Former lawmaker Jung Moon-heon, a two-term National Assembly member, served as a unification secretary during former President Lee Myung-bak’s administration and has considerable political experience. He had prepared to run in the Jongno District by-election during the last presidential election but had to swallow his disappointment due to the strategic nomination of candidate Choi Jae-hyung (current lawmaker). This time, he is running for Jongno District head.

Former lawmaker Lee Sung-heon, who had a close rivalry (2 wins, 3 losses) with Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho over the Seodaemun District seat, is also running for Seodaemun District head. In a phone interview with this paper, Lee said, "There was some hesitation because the roles that can be done in the National Assembly and as a district head are different," but added, "Since the Democratic Party has held the district head position for 12 years and the area has become underdeveloped, I thought a candidate who can defeat the Democratic Party candidate should step forward." He also stated that if elected as district head this time, he will not run in the general election two years later.

Additionally, in Gyeonggi Province’s Namyangju City, former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Min-hee and former People Power Party lawmaker Joo Kwang-deok are preparing for an election battle, and in Yongin, current mayor Baek Gun-gi and former lawmaker Lee Sang-il, who both served as 19th National Assembly members, will face off. In Seongnam, four-term former lawmaker Shin Sang-jin is running, and in Hanam, two-term former lawmaker Lee Hyeon-jae has thrown his hat in the ring.

The traditional political culture that regarded basic local government heads as a step below National Assembly members is changing. Politicians generally agree that local autonomy has matured significantly, and perceptions of basic local government heads, who have strong authority, have shifted. The fact that candidate Lee, who was a former Seongnam mayor, went on to become Gyeonggi Province governor and then a presidential candidate symbolically reflects this trend.

Especially in special cities like Suwon and Yongin, which have populations exceeding one million, the strengthening of authority and status has lowered the barrier for former and current lawmakers. Because basic local government heads can have budgets and personnel authority comparable to metropolitan governments, it has become easier to pursue these positions.

Moreover, the turbulent political careers of individual politicians have accelerated their move to local government. After the Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the last general election, many People Power Party lawmakers became political outcasts. Former lawmakers such as Jeong Tae-geun (Seongbuk District head candidate), Lee Sung-heon, Kim Yong-nam, Lee Sang-il, Shin Sang-jin, Joo Kwang-deok, and Lee Hyeon-jae all ran unsuccessfully in the 21st general election in the metropolitan area. With the People Power Party’s victory in the recent presidential election confirming a major shift in public opinion, and with two years remaining until the next general election, these factors seem to have been taken into account.

The enthusiasm for running for metropolitan government heads continues. In the 2010 5th local elections, 18 former and current National Assembly members ran, but this time, 25 have thrown their hats in the ring. This number reflects the results of party nominations for both ruling and opposition parties, and considering independent candidates, it is expected to increase further. Notably, despite the People Power Party’s efforts to restrain current lawmakers from running due to concerns about a minority ruling situation, this outcome was observed. In this election, seven current lawmakers (Kim Eun-hye, Kim Tae-heum, Park Wan-soo, Song Young-gil, Oh Young-hoon, Lee Kwang-jae, Hong Jun-pyo) are running.

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy analyzed this phenomenon, saying, "Both district heads and governors handle significant responsibilities, and having administrative experience can be considered a political career advantage."