[General Election Battleground] Jeon Jae-su vs. Park Min-sik Rematch? Busan Election Drama, This Time...

④ Busan-Bukgu·Gangseogu Gap
Jeon Jae-su vs. Park Min-sik Rivalry Since 2008
Ruling Party District Chairmanship Pending... Park Min-sik's Possible Return

Editor's NoteThe 22nd general election, scheduled for April 10 next year, is just over six months away. We explore the key battlegrounds across the country to gauge the constituency landscape. This analysis divides the nation regionally, focusing on areas where the ruling and opposition parties have had close contests, where major candidates are running, or where internal party competition is intense.

Based on the 21st general election, Busan Metropolitan City, which was allocated 21 seats, is a pivotal region that could determine the overall victory or defeat of the ruling and opposition parties. The People Power Party is expected to set its general election goals on the premise of a landslide victory in Busan, but the changing public sentiment presents a variable unlike in the past.

Looking at recent general election results in Busan, the Democratic Party of Korea secured about 3 to 5 seats. Among the constituencies where the Democratic Party has a strong chance of winning, Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu Gap stand out. This area delivered victories to the Democratic Party in both the 20th general election in 2016 and the 21st general election in 2020.

Jeon Jae-su, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Interestingly, not only in 2016 and 2020 but also in the 2008 and 2012 general elections, this area was the hottest battleground in Busan, with the candidates from both parties being politicians Jeon Jae-su and Park Min-sik. These two are likely to face off again in the 22nd general election in 2024.

Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu Gap is a must-win area for the Democratic Party and, for the People Power Party, it is the place where a victory would complete the formula for a Busan landslide. Neither party is willing to concede this ground.

In the 21st general election in 2020, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-su won with 48,733 votes (50.6%). Park Min-sik of the United Future Party (now People Power Party) performed strongly with 46,795 votes (48.6%) but could not overcome Jeon Jae-su’s stronghold.

Within the Democratic Party, incumbent lawmaker Jeon Jae-su, who is aiming for a third term in the Busan Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu Gap constituency, is the leading candidate.

The People Power Party’s situation is relatively complex. Former lawmaker Park Min-sik, who has a solid local base and extensive election experience, was appointed Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in June. While it is widely expected that he will participate in next April’s general election, Minister Park has not made a clear statement regarding his candidacy.

However, it is noteworthy that the appointment of the People Power Party’s constituency committee chair for Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu Gap has been postponed. Kim Young-sung, former adjunct professor at Changshin University; lawyer Park Jin-su; former Busan city council member Son Sang-yong; and former Busan city administrative autonomy bureau chief Cho Sung-ho have all applied for the position, but the party has yet to finalize the appointment.

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs nominee Park Min-sik attended the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on May 30. Before the meeting began, he was seen talking with Ko Hak-soo, Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission. Nominee Park is facing criticism regarding allegations of concurrently working as a lawyer and receiving preferential treatment as a former official. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

There is also interest in whether those who applied for the constituency committee chair will challenge for the party nomination in next year’s general election. If Minister Park Min-sik decides to run, it could cause a significant shift in the party’s nomination dynamics, which is a key variable.

In a media interview, Minister Park Min-sik stated, “The needs and demands of voters are the most important. I am currently the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and I believe that the thoughts of customers, voters, and the people regarding the next general election are what matter most.”

The general consensus is that a rematch between Jeon Jae-su and Park Min-sik is highly likely.

Jeon Jae-su has the advantage of having won two consecutive general elections recently and has maintained strong voter support through the benefits of incumbency. Minister Park Min-sik, trusted deeply by President Yoon Suk-yeol, is expected to be a formidable candidate if he decides to run.