6·1 By-election People's Power 'Decisive Victory'... Democratic Party Gains 1 Seat with Wonju-gap Win

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] In the by-elections for the National Assembly held alongside the June 1 local elections, the People Power Party won in 5 districts, while the Democratic Party secured victories in 2 districts. Originally, the by-elections were for 4 districts for the People Power Party and 3 for the Democratic Party, but with Park Jeong-ha of the People Power Party winning in Wonju Gap, Gangwon Province, the People Power Party gained one additional seat.

On the 2nd, Park Jeong-ha, the People Power Party candidate who ran in the Wonju Gap by-election for the National Assembly held alongside the June 1 local elections, raised his hand and cheered after receiving a bouquet as his victory became likely at the Wonju city election office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In the by-elections for the National Assembly held together with the local elections on the 2nd, attention was focused on Lee Jae-myung (Incheon Gyeyang-eul) and Ahn Cheol-soo (Seongnam Bundang-gap), who had run in the last presidential election, but dramatic contests also unfolded in other districts.

In the Wonju Gap electoral district, which became vacant due to former lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae running for governor of Gangwon Province, Won Chang-mook, former mayor of Wonju and Democratic Party candidate (42.2%), challenged but was defeated by Park Jeong-ha (57.8%). As a result, the Democratic Party lost one seat compared to before the local elections.

In the by-elections for Boryeong-Seocheon, Chungnam and Jeju Jeju-eul, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party each succeeded in retaining their existing seats. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party (51.0%) defeated Democratic Party candidate Na So-yeol (49.0%). In Boryeong, Jang Dong-hyuk led, and in Seocheon, Na So-yeol was ahead, but Jang, born in the more populous Boryeong, ultimately won.

In Jeju-eul, Kim Han-gyu of the Democratic Party (49.4%) defeated Bu Sang-il, the People Power Party candidate (45.1%). In this election, where former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Woo-nam ran as an independent, splitting the opposition vote, Kim Han-gyu secured a narrow victory.

Additionally, in Daegu Suseong, People Power Party candidate Lee In-seon, and in Changwon Uichang, Gyeongnam, People Power Party candidate Kim Young-seon won the by-elections.

Meanwhile, former lawmakers Kim Tae-heum (People Power Party), Park Wan-soo (People Power Party), Oh Young-hoon (Democratic Party), and Hong Joon-pyo (People Power Party), who ran for metropolitan government heads, won their races. On the other hand, Kim Eun-hye (People Power Party), Song Young-gil (Democratic Party), and former lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae (Democratic Party) suffered defeats.