The People Power Party nominates former anchor Shin Dong-wook as sole candidate for Seocho-eul... Incumbent Park Sung-joong reassigned within the Seoul metropolitan area

Kim Young-joo, who joined the party the day before, receives strategic nomination for Yeongdeungpo Gap
Former Minister Kim Young-sik gets sole nomination for Asan Gap, Chungnam

The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee decided to give former TV Chosun anchor Shin Dong-wook a single nomination without a primary election in Seocho-gu Eul, Seoul, while incumbent lawmaker Park Sung-joong is expected to be placed in another challenging district in the metropolitan area. Kim Young-joo, who left the Democratic Party and joined the People Power Party, received a strategic nomination for Yeongdeungpo-gu Gap, and former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik, who requested a metropolitan area reassignment, was strategically nominated for Gangseo-gu Eul, Seoul.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is putting a party jumper on Shin Dong-wook, former TV Chosun anchor, at the National Talent Recruitment Welcome Ceremony held at the Yeouido Central Party Office last January. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 5th, Jung Young-hwan, chairman of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee, announced the results of the 16th meeting and additional nominations at a briefing held at the central party office in Yeouido. Former anchor Shin received a single nomination in Seocho-gu Eul, classified as a favorable district. Former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-seok was given a single nomination in Asan-si Gap, Chungnam.

Incumbent lawmaker Park in Seocho-gu Eul is expected to be reassigned to a challenging district in the metropolitan area. Jang Dong-hyuk, secretary-general of the People Power Party, said, "By giving former anchor Shin a single nomination in Seocho-gu Eul, we asked lawmaker Park to run in a difficult district." Chairman Jung explained, "It will likely be a fiercely contested metropolitan area district," adding, "I am grateful that he is willing to do so."

Regarding former Minister Kim, who is facing judicial risks, the committee judged there to be no issues. Although Kim was acquitted in the first trial on charges of obstructing the activities of the 4.16 Sewol ferry disaster special investigation committee, the prosecution sought a prison sentence in the appeal trial. Secretary-General Jang said, "Lawyers thoroughly reviewed the judgment documents on this matter," and "We determined that there is no problem with nominating him."

Kim, who joined the People Power Party the day before, was strategically nominated for Yeongdeungpo-gu Gap, and former Minister Park received a strategic nomination for Gangseo-gu Eul, Seoul. Kim decided to leave the Democratic Party after being notified that he was in the bottom 20% during the party's nomination process. Former Minister Park attempted to run in Yeongdeungpo-gu Eul but gave up the primary election after the party requested him to run in a challenging metropolitan district.

In Busan Seo-gu and Dong-gu, lawyer Kwak Kyu-taek, former presidential office administrator Kim In-gyu, and former KBS reporter Lee Young-pung will compete in the primary. In Pocheon-si and Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, a four-way primary will be held among former presidential transition committee planning member Kwon Shin-il, former Gapyeong County governor Kim Sung-gi, former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae, lawyer Kim Yong-ho, and former presidential office administrator Heo Cheong-hoe. Former Seoul City Deputy Mayor for Administration Kim Ui-seung and lawmaker Kim Hyung-dong will compete in Andong-si and Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, while former presidential office secretary Kang Myung-gu, lawmaker Kim Young-sik, former Gyeongbuk economic special advisor Choi Woo-young, and former presidential office citizen proposal secretary Heo Sung-woo will contest in Gumi-si Eul, Gyeongbuk Province.