The Dilemma of 'Gangseo District Mayor By-election'... Kim Tae-woo Opens Election Office Today

Yoo Sang-beom "No Decision Yet on Nomination, Will Decide Within This Week"
Jung Woo-taek & Hong Joon-pyo "Let's Nominate Fairly and Face the People's Judgment"
Kim Tae-woo Opens Election Office, Ready to Fully Engage

The leadership of the People Power Party is deeply deliberating over the nomination for the by-election for the Mayor of Gangseo District. Amid the so-called 'metropolitan crisis theory' and ongoing debates inside and outside the party regarding the nomination, former Gangseo District Mayor Kim Tae-woo, who has shown signs of running again after his pardon, held an opening ceremony for his election office on the afternoon of the 28th. The People Power Party plans to finalize the nomination decision within this week.

Yoo Sang-beom, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, said at a meeting with reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "I am well aware that there are various opinions within the party regarding former Gangseo District Mayor Kim Tae-woo," adding, "I would like to reiterate that there has been no agreement within the party concerning him." He continued, "The party's decision on whether to nominate a candidate for the Gangseo District Mayor by-election has not yet been made," and "It is expected to be decided promptly, preferably within this week."

Former Gangseo District Mayor Kim Tae-woo. / Suwon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The Gangseo District Mayor by-election, which is just over a month away, was triggered by the loss of office of former Mayor Kim, but it entered a new phase after Kim was selected as a recipient of the Liberation Day special pardon. Kim Tae-woo served as an investigator in the Blue House's special inspection team during the Moon Jae-in administration and was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial last March for allegedly leaking secrets obtained through his official duties, including suspicions of a 'blacklist.' He was elected as mayor in the local elections held three months later but lost his position in May this year after the Supreme Court upheld the original verdict. Then, on the 14th, he was selected as a recipient of the Liberation Day special pardon.

Within the People Power Party, voices have emerged arguing that since the party is responsible for the cause of the by-election, it should not field a candidate this time. Although the pardon and reinstatement were granted for exposing internal corruption during the Moon Jae-in administration, it is considered unreasonable for Kim to run again in the by-election caused by himself. A senior official of the People Power Party said, "Since the responsibility lies with us, it might be better not to field a candidate," adding, "The pardon was granted in respect of his status as a whistleblower, but the nomination decision should be made realistically."

However, some within the party criticize the leadership for feeling pressured by the metropolitan crisis theory and thus choosing not to nominate a candidate. Gangseo District has traditionally had strong opposition support. Therefore, if the party loses this by-election, the leadership could face accountability, leading to a decision not to nominate a candidate. Especially since this by-election is held about six months before the general election next year, the leadership is expected to inevitably suffer damage.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, senior party figures argue that a candidate should be fielded in this by-election. Since Kim was reinstated under the Yoon Seok-youl administration, there is justification, and the by-election is seen as stemming not from Kim's personal corruption but from the faults of the Moon Jae-in administration and the judiciary.

Former lawmaker Kim Sung-tae, who attended Kim's election office opening ceremony that day, said, "Through the pardon and reinstatement, the Yoon Seok-youl government has nobly accepted the value of a young Korean's public interest whistleblowing," emphasizing, "We must unite our efforts with the residents of Gangseo to build a new future for Gangseo."

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Woo-taek also stated on his SNS the day before, "The party leadership must be deeply concerned, but I believe the People Power Party should nominate a candidate," adding, "The former Gangseo District Mayor exposed the power-type corruption and illegality of the Moon Jae-in regime to the world, was prosecuted by the Moon administration's prosecution for leaking official secrets, and was disqualified by the Moon administration and the Kim Myung-soo-led judiciary. This by-election crisis did not arise from the fault of the People Power Party candidate." He further said, "We should exclude immediate political gains or political calculations and fairly nominate a candidate to let the people judge."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also criticized, "I understand the reluctance to nominate a candidate for Gangseo District Mayor ahead of the general election, but that is a cowardly act." Mayor Hong recalled his experience in the 2011 Seoul mayoral election when candidate Na Kyung-won lost to Park Won-soo and he resigned as party leader, questioning, "Isn't it right to nominate a candidate to check the flow of metropolitan public opinion and prepare for the general election?" He added, "Hesitating and only calculating tactics could lead to 'pihobongho' (avoiding a fox and meeting a tiger·避狐逢虎)."

Former Mayor Kim also expressed his determination by wearing an election jumper with the number '2' at the opening ceremony. When asked by reporters after the ceremony whether he would consider running as an independent if the party does not nominate him, he replied, "No. I will not run as an independent." He added, "I will work closely with the party to make the best decision," and regarding plans to meet with the party leadership, he said, "If they want to discuss something with me, I am always willing to talk." Former Mayor Kim still insists there is no reason for the party not to nominate a candidate for the Gangseo District Mayor by-election.

Last-minute Deliberation by Kim Ki-hyun: "Metropolitan Election Controversy is a Healthy Debate"

The party leadership is expected to continue final deliberations over the nomination. Losing this by-election could affect the atmosphere for the general election, and if the leadership falters afterward, calls for regime judgment could arise. Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok analyzed in an MBC radio interview that "Among the currently undecided voters, a significant number are leaning toward regime judgment."

The People Power Party leadership is also concerned about the metropolitan crisis theory. Kim Ki-hyun, the party leader, said at a workshop held in Incheon that day, "I think the various controversies surrounding this metropolitan election are a very healthy debate for us," adding, "This is a practically difficult region. We must devote more effort to approach the metropolitan public sentiment." He further stated that, regardless of faction or personal likes and dislikes, he would even go to great lengths ('ten visits') to bring in a candidate who can win the metropolitan election.