[22nd General Election Candidates] Jeonnam Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong

Incumbent Lee Gae-ho's Bid for 4th Term Draws Attention

Lee Seok-hyung, Kim Young-mi, Park No-won in Intense Democratic Party Primary Battle

The Jeonnam Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong electoral district is a region where the main focus is whether incumbent National Assembly member Lee Gae-ho will achieve a fourth term. So far, only members affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea have registered as preliminary candidates, but it is also reported that the Reform Future Party, a new party led by Lee Nak-yeon, will field a candidate.

From the left, Kim Young-mi, Park No-won, Lee Gae-ho, Lee Seok-hyung preliminary candidates. (in alphabetical order)

Three-term Assemblyman Lee Gae-ho has not yet registered as a preliminary candidate but is aiming for a fourth term. Lee declared his non-participation in the new party, stating, "Just as I stayed with the Democratic Party during the exodus caused by the People's Party wave in the 20th general election, even at the risk of losing, I will stand by the Democratic Party and leader Lee Jae-myung until the end."

Currently serving as the chair of the Policy Committee, he is leading the development of election policy pledges as a member of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction. He is determined to further develop his experience and legislative achievements from three terms into a fourth term and grow as a representative politician of Honam, appealing to voters.

Former Hampyeong County Governor Lee Seok-hyung has thrown down the gauntlet against Lee’s bid for a fourth term. Lee, who served three terms as Hampyeong County Governor, elevated the 'Hampyeong Butterfly Festival' into a national festival. He also served as the chairman of the Korea Forestry Cooperative Federation, and his nationwide personal network is considered a strong advantage.

Kim Young-mi, vice-chair of the Democratic Party’s Northeast Asia Peace Cooperation Special Committee, has also registered early as a preliminary candidate and is making an all-out effort to win grassroots support. Emphasizing that she is the right person to bring a 'new wave' to local politics, she has thrown her hat into the ring. She is gaining attention as the only female candidate.

Park No-won, deputy spokesperson of the central party, is evaluated as having professional insight into regional issues through a long career in public service, including as an administrative officer in the former presidential secretariat and working between central government ministries and Jeonnam Province. He clearly showed his pro-Lee Jae-myung stance by joining Lee’s hunger strike and participating in a solidarity fast for over ten days. Last year, he ran in the Democratic Party’s Jangseong County governor primary but was narrowly defeated by Kim Han-jong.

In the People Power Party, it was initially expected that Park Young-yong, the party district committee chairman, would run, but he is reported to have withdrawn. Meanwhile, Kim Sun-woo, former president of Welfare TV, is reportedly considering running under Lee Nak-yeon’s new party, the Reform Future Party.