Democratic Party Strategically Nominates Lee Jae-myung for Incheon Gyeyang By-Election (Update)

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who was defeated in the presidential election, is giving a greeting speech at the disbandment ceremony of the campaign headquarters held on the afternoon of the 10th at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea strategically nominated former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung as the candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election for the National Assembly on the 6th. The Democratic Party also strategically nominated former lawmaker Kim Byung-kwan as the candidate for Seongnam Bundang-gap and Kim Ji-soo, the party committee chairman, as the candidate for Changwon-si Uichang-gu party committee chairman.

On the same day, the Democratic Party held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to finalize the candidates for the by-elections scheduled for the 1st of next month. After the emergency meeting, Democratic Party chief spokesperson Ko Yong-jin told reporters, "I would like to announce that we have approved Lee Jae-myung, Standing Advisor, as the candidate for the Gyeyang-eul National Assembly by-election."

Kim Ji-soo, the current party committee chairman, was selected as the candidate for Changwon Uichang, which became vacant due to former lawmaker Park Wan-soo's run for governor of Gyeongnam Province. Spokesperson Ko said, "Candidate Kim is the first female and youngest chairperson of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council," adding, "As a woman from Gyeongnam, she can bring a new wind."

Former lawmaker Kim Eun-hye's run for governor of Gyeonggi Province left the Seongnam Bundang-gap seat vacant, and former lawmaker Kim Byung-kwan was appointed as the candidate. Spokesperson Ko introduced him by saying, "Former lawmaker Kim Byung-kwan, who is also the current local committee chairman of Seongnam Bundang-gap, is recognized as an IT entrepreneur in the region and was actively involved in related activities during the 20th National Assembly."

Earlier, on the 4th, the Democratic Party strategically nominated former presidential secretary for political affairs Kim Han-gyu for Jeju-eul, acting local committee chairman Kim Yong-rak for Daegu Suseong-e, former Wonju Mayor Won Chang-mook for Wonju-gap, and local committee chairman Na So-yeol for Chungnam Boryeong-Seocheon.