Competition Rate 1.22 to 1 on the First Day of Candidate Registration for the 22nd General Election

125 Members of the Democratic Party, 124 Members of the People Power Party
Gwangju Highest at 2.75 to 1
Seoul Lowest at 0.66 to 1
Top Wealth Holder, Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo with 140.1 Billion Won

On April 10, the first day of candidate registration for the 22nd general election, 311 candidates registered across 254 constituencies nationwide. The competition rate was 1.22 to 1.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As of 7 p.m. on the 21st, the National Election Commission reported that on the first day of candidate registration, the Democratic Party of Korea registered 125 candidates, and the People Power Party registered 124 candidates, with the Democratic Party slightly ahead.

Following them were the Reform New Party (15 candidates), the Progressive Party (11 candidates), the Green Justice Party (8 candidates), and the New Future Party (6 candidates). There were 15 independent candidates.

Among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide, Gwangju had the highest competition rate at 2.75 to 1. Twenty-two candidates registered in 8 constituencies.

The competition rates by region were ▲Jeju 2.33 to 1 ▲Gangwon 2.25 to 1 ▲Gyeongbuk 1.76 to 1 ▲Incheon 1.71 to 1 ▲Gyeongnam 1.50 to 1 ▲Chungbuk 1.38 to 1 ▲Ulsan 1.16 to 1, among others.

On the 21st, Kim Eun-hye, the People Power Party candidate running for the 22nd National Assembly election in Bundang-eul, Gyeonggi Province, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Power Party candidate running in Bundang-gap, registered as candidates at the Bundang District Election Commission in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In Seoul, 32 candidates registered across 48 constituencies, resulting in the lowest competition rate of 0.66 to 1. Busan recorded 0.83 to 1, and Daegu 0.91 to 1.

Looking at specific constituencies, four candidates each registered in Chungbuk Cheongju Sangdang, Jeonnam Suncheon Gwangyang Gokseong Gurye Gap, Incheon Seo Gap, Incheon Seo Byeong, Gwangju Seo Gap, Gwangju Seo Eul, and Daejeon Seo Gap, resulting in a competition rate of 4 to 1.

The youngest candidate registered so far is Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party, born in 1990, running in Gyeonggi Pocheon Gapyeong. The oldest candidate is Park Ji-won of the Democratic Party, born in 1942, running in Jeonnam Haenam, Wando, Jindo.

On the first day, 279 male candidates and 32 female candidates registered. By age group, candidates in their 50s were the most numerous at 144, followed by those in their 60s (114), 40s (37), 70s (8), 30s (7), and 80s (1).

The candidate with the greatest wealth is Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, running in Gyeonggi Bundang Gap, with assets totaling 140.13548 billion KRW. He is the only candidate to report assets in the 100 billion KRW range.

Next were Park Deok-heum of the People Power Party, running in Chungbuk Boeun Okcheon Yeongdong Goesan, with 56.27883 billion KRW, and Lee Sang-gyu of the People Power Party, running in Seoul Seongbuk Eul, with 45.9178 billion KRW.

There are 41 candidates with unpaid taxes over the past five years. Among them, independent candidate Lee Seung-rok, registered in Gyeongbuk Yeongcheon Cheongdo, had the highest unpaid tax amount of 44.357 million KRW over five years.

There were 118 candidates with criminal records. Democratic Party candidate Kwon Taek-heung, registered in Daegu Dalseo Gap, and Green Justice Party candidate Yeo Young-guk, registered in Gyeongnam Changwon Seongsan, each reported eight criminal records to the Election Commission. Among male candidates, 45 had not completed military service.

The Election Commission accepted candidate registrations until 6 p.m. on this day and will continue to accept registrations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the following day.