Ha Tae-kyung Declares Candidacy for Seoul Jongno... "Han Dong-hoon Should Not Be Tied to a District" (Comprehensive)

"First Condition for Victory in the Capital Region General Election: Defend Jongno"
Communication with Incumbent Representative Choi Jae-hyung... "Friendly Competition"
"Korea to Play a Role in Nationwide Elections... Running as a Lower-ranked Proportional Representative Candidate"

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, declared on the 27th that he will run for the Seoul Jongno district in next year's general election. Ha, who served three consecutive terms in Busan Haeundae-gap, is the first senior member from the ruling party's Yeongnam faction to officially announce a run in the Seoul metropolitan area. Regarding Han Dong-hoon, the Minister of Justice, who is also mentioned as a candidate for this district along with incumbent party member Choi Jae-hyung, Ha pressured him to run as a proportional representative in a lower position, saying, "He should not be tied to a constituency."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, Ha said, "The only reason a three-term National Assembly member from Busan has decided to run in Seoul is because of my conviction that our People Power Party must be reborn as a metropolitan party," adding, "We cannot call ourselves a metropolitan party while losing Jongno. Furthermore, the primary condition for winning the metropolitan general election is to hold onto Jongno."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"'Friendly Competition' with Han Dong-hoon and Choi Jae-hyung... Han Should Not Be Bound to a Constituency"

After the press conference, Ha told reporters that he would engage in "friendly competition" with both incumbent lawmaker Choi and Minister Han, who are expected to run in Jongno.

However, regarding Minister Han, Ha expressed the view that he should run as a proportional representative rather than in a constituency to support the nationwide election. Ha said, "If Minister Han is tied to a constituency, he cannot raise our party's national approval rating or help various people," adding, "I hope Minister Han is not bound to a constituency." He continued, "There are also tough districts in proportional representation. The lower-ranked positions are tough districts," and emphasized, "Since Minister Han is a treasure who should lead our party's future, I personally think it is most appropriate for him to set our party's support rate goals together and run as a proportional representative accordingly, showing a resolute will to fight, considering his current position."

Ha also explained that coordination was made with incumbent lawmaker Choi before announcing his candidacy. He said, "I visited him personally and had a meal together to explain my concerns. Upon hearing that I was cautiously challenging Jongno, Mr. Choi responded, 'How could I stop you? I understand,'” adding, “Personally, I interpreted that as a call for a period of friendly competition." He continued, "I promise here that for the great task of the People Power Party's general election, I will have a wonderful friendly competition with Mr. Choi, showing respect and refraining from negative campaigning."

"Jongno Is a Tough District... Encouragement from Party Leadership and Innovation Committee"

Ha had already stated at a press conference on the 7th of last month, "I was recruited as a talent by the party 12 years ago, and just as my senior yielded, now I intend to do the same. I will pave the way for new talents and challenge Seoul to win." Since then, districts such as Seoul Mapo-eul, the constituency of Jeong Cheong-rae from the Democratic Party, and Seoul Gwanak-eul, where former Minister Cho Kuk is expected to run, were considered possible candidacies for Ha. On this day, Ha said, "After analyzing several metropolitan districts, Jongno was the most suitable."

Although incumbent lawmaker Choi from the ruling party won the by-election last year, Jongno remains a tough district for the People Power Party because it has historically been a battleground. Ha said, "Jongno was held by the Democratic Party in the 19th, 20th, and 21st National Assemblies. I think it is one of the tough districts currently mentioned in the media," adding, "The last by-election was held under special circumstances where the Democratic Party did not field a candidate." The Democratic Party did not nominate a candidate in the 2022 Jongno by-election, which occurred due to former leader Lee Nak-yeon's resignation, citing responsibility on their part, and Choi was elected.

Ha also consulted with the party leadership and the Innovation Committee before deciding to run in Jongno. He said, "I discussed it with the party. No one in the party has been confirmed to run in Jongno, and they understood my candidacy," adding, "Anyone can challenge Jongno and try their best there." He also said, "I told Innovation Committee Chairman In Yo-han a long time ago," and "(Chairman In) encouraged me, saying it was a courageous challenge."