'Haeundae 3-term' Ruling Party's Ha Tae-gyeong: "Running for Seoul in General Election... Will Be a Catalyst for Victory"

Constituency Undecided... "I Will Go Wherever the Party Calls"

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, announced on the 7th that he will run in the Seoul area in next year's general election.

At a National Assembly press conference that morning, Ha said, "I will leave my hometown Haeundae and challenge myself in Seoul in next year's general election," adding, "If I win in Seoul, our party will gain the effect of securing two seats." Ha is a senior lawmaker who has successfully won three consecutive terms since the 19th general election in the Busan Haeundae Gap district.

Ha Tae-kyung, Member of the People Power Party [Photo by Yonhap News]

Ha explained the reason behind his decision to run in Seoul, saying, "It is out of sincere desire to be a catalyst for our party's victory in the general election, especially in the metropolitan area," and "I hope that this small action will become a catalyst for restoring responsible politics of the ruling party and for our party's victory in the general election." He continued, "We achieved a regime change last year, but the unstable situation of a minority ruling party and opposition has only amplified unnecessary conflicts and antagonism," emphasizing, "The ruling party, which has unlimited responsibility for state affairs, must change first. We must give the public the belief that we will put aside vested interests and lead the government focusing solely on the people to lead the general election victory."

Ha also said, "Running in Seoul is a political conviction," adding, "During my second term as a lawmaker, I co-proposed a bill to prohibit more than three consecutive terms in the same district, and many rookie politicians dreaming of new challenges must come in for politics to develop." After the press conference, Ha was cautious when asked by reporters about the specific district, saying, "I have only decided on Seoul, and I have not yet thought about the specifics." He added, "I will continue to consult with the party, and right now, I have the mindset to go wherever the party calls me." He also said, "I told the party leader and floor leader this morning. Their response was, 'As expected of Ha Tae-kyung. Thank you.'"

Inside and outside the party, there is talk that Ha may run in Mapo-eul, the district of Jeong Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea.