Seoul's First Large-Scale New Town Built for the 1988 Olympics, Now a 'Democratic Party Stronghold' for Working-Class Residents in Nowon-gu: Following Speaker Im Chae-jung, Speaker Woo Won-shik Emerges... Three Former Nowon-gu Mayors Including Three-Term Kim Seong-hwan and Mayor Oh Seung-rok, All from the Yeondae Faction, Achieve Regional Turnaround... Growing Attention on Mayor Oh's Potential Future Entry into the National Assembly
Nowon-gu in Seoul is home to several prominent mountains such as Suraksan, Bulamsan, and Yeongchuksan. It is a planned city consisting of large-scale apartment complexes built for the 1988 Olympics and is characterized as a bedroom community with a significant low-income population, represented by the 104 Village.
In this remote northeastern part of Seoul, Nowon-gu is expected to secure political stature by producing two Speakers of the National Assembly. It is particularly notable that the Speaker emerged from this Democratic Party stronghold, where civil servants and other working-class citizens reside.
Following Speaker Lim Chae-jung of the Democratic Party, Speaker Woo Won-shik was also born here, solidifying a distinct political image for this area of Seoul.
Nowon-gu Secures Political Stature by Producing Two Speakers of the National Assembly: Lim Chae-jung Followed by Woo Won-shik
Lim Chae-jung, a former Dong-A Ilbo reporter who entered the 14th National Assembly after participating in the democratization movement, was elected Speaker of the National Assembly during the latter half of the 17th National Assembly as a member of the Uri Party. He served four terms as a lawmaker from Nowon-gu.
Speaker Lim represented Nowon, located at the foot of Bulamsan, during the 14th to 16th National Assemblies, and served as a lawmaker for Nowon B, which includes Suraksan, in the 17th National Assembly.
Woo Won-shik, elected as the Democratic Party candidate for Speaker in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, entered the 17th National Assembly after serving as a Seoul city councilor. He has been re-elected for the 19th through 21st National Assemblies and was elected again in the 22nd, making him a five-term lawmaker. He won the Speaker election with a narrow margin of 89 to 80 against six-term lawmaker Chu Mi-ae, supported by Lee Jae-myung’s faction, securing the second-highest protocol rank in South Korea.
Representative Woo Won-sik (center) is smiling brightly after winning the primary election for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly.
Woo Won-shik, Kim Seong-hwan, and Oh Seung-rok: Three Yonsei University Alumni Sweep Nowon Politics
Following Woo Won-shik, Kim Seong-hwan, who served two terms as Nowon-gu mayor, was elected for a third term as a lawmaker.
Both Woo and Kim share a background as former Seoul city councilors, indicating their grassroots local government experience. They also boast a strong bond as alumni of Yonsei University.
Kim Seong-hwan, a former Nowon-gu councilor, Seoul city councilor, and Blue House secretary, built a solid reputation through initiatives such as suicide prevention projects and solar power programs during his tenure.
Kim was elected in a by-election in Nowon B, where Ahn Cheol-soo had resigned, and has become a three-term lawmaker through the 22nd National Assembly.
Compared to Lee Hae-sik and Kim Young-bae, who are former Seoul district mayors and two-term lawmakers, Kim’s political career has progressed relatively quickly.
Additionally, Oh Seung-rok, the current Nowon-gu mayor, who also served as a Seoul city councilor and Blue House administrative officer, is recognized for his dedicated efforts toward regional development during his two terms as mayor.
Oh Seung-rok’s Growing Prospects for Entering the 23rd National Assembly Draw Attention
Mayor Oh has elevated Nowon-gu, a peripheral district of Seoul, to the status of a festival-centered autonomous district. He hosts five major annual festivals that have received positive feedback from residents: the Bukamsan Healing Town Azalea Festival, the Light Sculpture Festival, Danghyeoncheon 'Nowon Moonlight Walk,' Nowon Street Festival 'Dancing Nowon,' Gureung-dong Gyeongchun Forest Road Coffee Festival, and Hwarangdae Railroad Park 'Nowon Craft Beer Festival.'
He is also actively promoting regional development projects such as the creation of a ‘Bio Cluster’ at the Changdong Vehicle Base and the commencement of the GTX-C line construction.
With Woo Won-shik’s election as Speaker now confirmed, it is widely assessed that Mayor Oh will conclude his second term and have a broader path to challenge for the 23rd National Assembly.
A Nowon-gu official predicted, “If Woo Won-shik becomes Speaker, he is unlikely to run in the 23rd National Assembly, which will likely open up greater opportunities for Mayor Oh Seung-rok.”
Woo Won-shik, Kim Seong-hwan, and Oh Seung-rok are all Yonsei University alumni from activist backgrounds, having served in the Blue House and Seoul city council, and are known to share a close rapport, understanding each other with just a glance.
The political trajectory of the 'Nowon Trio'?Woo Won-shik, Kim Seong-hwan, and Oh Seung-rok?is drawing significant attention.
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