Signs of 'Nomination Controversy' Reemerging in Yeonggwang and Gokseong County Mayoral By-Elections in October

Democratic Party Stronghold Challenged by Joguk Innovation Party 'Bloody Battle'
Democratic Party Faces Strong Backlash from Preliminary Candidates
Joguk Innovation Party Claims 'Strategic Nomination' Amid Turmoil

With about 50 days remaining until the by-elections for the Yeonggwang County Governor and Gokseong County Governor in Jeollanam-do on October 16, the candidates from each political party are beginning to take shape.

In particular, this by-election is already anticipated to be a fierce battle between the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party, which caused a political upheaval in the parliamentary elections held last April in Jeollanam-do, a region proudly known as a stronghold of the Democratic Party, as the Joguk Innovation Party is fielding candidates.

The Democratic Party held its Supreme Council meeting at the central party on the 28th and announced the candidates for the Yeonggwang County Governor primary and the primary election method.

The primary election method will be conducted with 50% from a safe number voter panel and 50% from party members with voting rights. After the first round of primaries narrows the field to 2-3 candidates, the final candidate will be decided through a runoff vote. It is expected to be completed before the Chuseok holiday.

The primary candidates were decided as former Jeollanam-do Assembly member Lee Dong-kwon, Yeonggwang County Council member Jang Gi-so, former Jeollanam-do Assembly member Jang Se-il, and Jang Hyun, former standing vice-chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party (in alphabetical order). Yang Jae-hwi, who was eliminated from the preliminary candidate pool, declared an independent run, and Kim Han-gyun is reportedly still considering his options.

Park Ji-won, a five-term member of the National Assembly, will serve as the Democratic Party’s Yeonggwang County Governor election countermeasure committee chairman. It is known that Park accepted the role at the request of Lee Gae-ho, the local party chairman. This is seen as a strategy aimed at the main election battle against the Joguk Innovation Party in the concurrent by-elections for Yeonggwang and Gokseong counties.

Seemingly aware of this, Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk, who challenged the Democratic Party, visited Yeonggwang on the 29th to present election pledges and appeal to the electorate.

At a hotel in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, Jo Guk, leader of the Innovation Party, is holding a meeting with local reporters regarding the Yeonggwang and Gokseong county mayoral by-elections.
[Photo by Kim Geonwan yacht@]

Leader Jo stated, "Although Yeonggwang and Gokseong, where this by-election is held, are overwhelming strongholds of the Democratic Party, we are strongly challenging the local elections with the common goal of regime change," adding, "The Joguk Innovation Party does not consider party affiliation important when recruiting local talent, just as in the April general election."

In the case of the Gokseong by-election, the Democratic Party’s candidate selection is progressing more slowly than in Yeonggwang. At the Supreme Council meeting that day, the party made a sudden decision to reinstate candidate Jo Sang-rae, who had declared an independent run, making him the first-round candidate. This has caused backlash from candidates Kang Dae-kwang, Jeong Hwan-dae, and Yoo Geun-gi, who were previously selected as first-round candidates. Jo Sang-rae demanded reinstatement on the condition of a 100% public participation primary, departing from the existing primary method.

They are opposing this move and are even considering unification. Although there are differences in opinions among candidates regarding the unification method, they strongly oppose the unilateral decision by the Democratic Party’s central party, and it is expected to cause turmoil.

They are protesting, saying, "The central party’s decision to hold an additional recruitment can only be seen as a strategic nomination to favor a specific candidate."

The situation is similar for the Joguk Innovation Party. Although the party nominated Park Eung-du, head of the Healing Agriculture Association and their second recruit, as the unified candidate, preliminary candidate Son Kyung-su is opposing the strategic nomination.

The Gokseong County Governor by-election is expected to be heavily influenced by the nomination disputes within both the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party.

A local political insider pointed out, "Both the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party are showing behaviors that are no different from strategic nominations, albeit through different methods."

Meanwhile, the 10.16 Yeonggwang and Gokseong County Governor by-elections will begin with preliminary candidate registration, followed by candidate registration on September 26-27. Official election campaigning will start on October 3, early voting will be held on October 11-12, and the main voting will take place on October 16 (from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.).