[General Election Challengers]⑥ Kim Moo-sung, Park Ji-won, Lee In-je, Jung Dong-young... The Return of the Old Boys

"Will Settle the Confusing Political Reality" Announces Candidacy
"Experience Must Be Utilized" VS "Blocking New Political Entrants" Tense Debate

Editor's NoteWith the New Year 2024, the political landscape for the 22nd general election has officially begun. Public sentiment remains shrouded in uncertainty. Unexpected variables have emerged, such as the assault on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The ruling and opposition parties are rapidly moving into the candidate nomination phase. Voters are observing the nomination process to judge whether reforms will be made. They assess the 'direction' and 'figures' that parties aim for. Parties do not only innovate; sometimes they regress. Since this election will select representatives for the next four years, it is crucial to scrutinize these candidates carefully. We examine candidates by major fields and generations in a series: ① Presidential Office ② Bureaucrats ③ Legal and Police Sectors ④ Military ⑤ Incumbent Face-offs ⑥ Old Boys

In next year's general election, so-called 'Old Boys (OB)'?veteran lawmakers who have served multiple terms and had stepped back from frontline politics?are also declaring their candidacies one after another. These OBs cite a sense of responsibility to correct the chaotic political reality as their reason for running. However, political circles have mixed views on them. Some see their candidacies positively, arguing that experienced figures should dedicate themselves by running in challenging districts. Yet, there is also strong criticism that they block the advancement of political newcomers. What is clear is that this trend contrasts sharply with the strong momentum for generational change in politics.

Ruling Party: Lee In-je and Kim Moo-sung Aim for 7th Term... "We Will Restore Broken Politics"

First to catch attention is former lawmaker Lee In-je, who served as an honorary advisor to the People Power Party, announcing his bid for a 7th term. Born in 1948 in Nonsan, Chungnam, Lee declared his candidacy for Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan at a book launch event on the 12th of last month. He also completed his preliminary candidate registration on the same day. Starting as a member of the 13th National Assembly in 1988, Lee has served six consecutive terms except for the 15th National Assembly when he was Governor of Gyeonggi Province (1995?1997). According to the National Election Commission, as of the 9th, 11 candidates, including Lee, have registered for the Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan district. Among them, nine are from the People Power Party, making internal competition inevitable. Lee has expressed willingness to face party primaries. He has volunteered to serve as the 'frontline gatekeeper' in the Seoul metropolitan area for the general election. In an interview with a media outlet, Lee emphasized, "Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan are the most challenging districts in Chungnam, geographically closest to Honam. Winning here is essential for a landslide victory in the Chungcheong region, and a landslide in Chungcheong is necessary for a strong performance in the metropolitan area."

Former Saenuri Party (now People Power Party) leader Kim Moo-sung is also considering running in the general election. If he decides to run, it is likely to be in his old constituency of Jung-gu and Yeongdo-gu in Busan. Like Lee In-je, he aims for a 7th term. There is speculation that if he returns to the National Assembly, he will challenge for the Speaker position. Kim's consideration to run is partly due to the incumbent lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee's announcement not to seek re-election amid allegations of infidelity and bribery. Kim has criticized the current political scene as "democracy retreating, non-democratic, and anti-democratic party politics." This statement is interpreted as keeping the door open for a run to restore real politics. Political circles expect his candidacy announcement to come before mid-month.

Former lawmaker Shim Jae-cheol, who served as the Deputy Speaker of the 20th National Assembly, registered as a preliminary candidate for the Anyang Dongan-gu-eul district in Gyeonggi Province on the 19th of last month. He served five terms in Anyang Dongan-gu but lost to Lee Jae-jung of the Democratic Party in the last general election. This election marks his attempt for a 6th term. Upon registering, Shim declared his candidacy, stating, "I will be a model for politics prioritizing people's livelihood." He aims to prioritize local issues such as the reconstruction of Anyang Prison, relocation of Anyang City Hall, and redevelopment of the aging first-generation new town. Shim is likely to have a rematch with Lee Jae-jung, who is seeking a third term. There are also rumors about former party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn running.

Opposition: Former NIS Chiefs and Ministers... Park Ji-won, Lee Jong-gul, Chung Dong-young, Chu Mi-ae Return

In the opposition camp, former National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Park Ji-won, former Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young, and former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae have confirmed or are considering running in the general election.

Park Ji-won registered as a preliminary candidate for his hometown district of Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in Jeonnam on the 12th of last month, aiming for a 5th term. He began as a 14th National Assembly member for the Democratic Party and served in the 18th, 19th, and 20th National Assemblies. During the Kim Dae-jung administration, he served as the 2nd Minister of Culture and Tourism and held various leadership roles in the National Assembly, including party leader, emergency committee chairman, and floor leader. To prepare for the election, Park has been actively engaging with the Jeonnam community and attending party regional events to manage public sentiment. If he runs, a close contest is expected against incumbent Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Jae-gap. According to a public opinion poll conducted by KBS Gwangju Broadcasting Station and commissioned to Gallup Korea from the 26th to 30th of last month targeting men and women aged 18 and over living in Gwangju and Jeonnam, Park Ji-won received 42% support, while Yoon had 26%.

Chung Dong-young, former Minister of Unification and the Democratic Party's 17th presidential candidate, declared his candidacy earlier this year for Jeonbuk Jeonju-byeong. This district is Chung's political hometown. He was elected in the 15th general election in 1996 with the highest vote share nationwide and was re-elected in the 16th general election. Although he lost in the 17th presidential election in 2007 and the 18th general election the following year, he made a comeback in the 2009 by-election. After winning the 20th general election and losing in the 21st, Chung stated in his candidacy announcement, "I, Chung Dong-young, will take the lead in condemning the white dictatorship of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and be at the center of protecting Lee Jae-myung." He is expected to compete for the third time against incumbent lawmaker Kim Sung-joo, who is his junior from high school and university.

Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who served five terms as a lawmaker, is also rumored to run. Political circles expect that if Chu runs, she will face off against former Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Oh Shin-hwan, who worked alongside Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, in Gwangjin-eul, part of the 'Han River Belt.' Currently, three candidates have registered in Gwangjin-eul: former Blue House administrator Kim Sang-jin and former first secretary-general of the National Courier Solidarity Union Park Dae-hee, both from the Democratic Party, along with Oh Shin-hwan. Gwangjin-eul has never elected a lawmaker from a conservative party, making it a challenging district. If Chu runs, a contest with incumbent lawmaker Ko Min-jung will be inevitable. At a book launch event for Cho Seung-hyun, director of the Political Future Research Institute, in November last year, Chu hinted at running by saying, "People always regret later that 'Chu Mi-ae was right,' but we should not create situations to regret in the first place."

Former lawmaker Lee Jong-gul, who served five terms in Manan, Anyang, declared his candidacy for Jongno, Seoul, on December 15 last year. He has been actively campaigning, including holding a book launch event at the Korean Church Centennial Memorial Hall in Jongno 5-ga on the 6th of this month.