The Start of Honam Election Battle... Democratic Party vs Joguk Hyuksin Party Competition Intensifies

10·16 Election Jeonnam Gokseong & Yeonggwang County Governor Candidates Outlined
Lee Jae-myung "Yoon Seok-yeol Administration Needs Election Treatment"
Jang Hyun, Who Defected from Democratic Party to Joguk Innovation Party, Advances to Runoff

The Democratic Party of Korea has confirmed its candidates for the by-elections scheduled for October 16. Among the regions holding elections, two areas in Jeonnam, known as the 'Democratic Party stronghold,' are expected to see intensified competition between the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party. Notably, Jang Hyun, a former Democratic Party member who left the party, is running as a preliminary candidate for the Joguk Innovation Party in the Gokseong County mayoral race.

On the morning of the 11th, at the '10.16 By-election Nomination Certificate Ceremony' held at the National Assembly, the Democratic Party selected Jang Se-il, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member, as the candidate for Yeonggwang County mayor, and Jo Sang-rae, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member, as the candidate for Gokseong County mayor. At the ceremony, party leader Lee Jae-myung stated, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration seems to need an election remedy," adding, "I hope the candidates will prepare themselves to represent not just a specific region but the entire Democratic Party."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is shaking hands with Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party is emphasizing the 'judgment on the administration' as a central theme in this by-election campaign. This strategy is interpreted as a continuation of the approach that secured a majority of seats in the last general election by focusing on holding the administration accountable. Lee said, "I do not want to say this, but recent personnel policies make me question who really owns this country," criticizing, "The government's and ruling party's attitude toward the current medical crisis is also indicative of this." He added, "I believe this by-election should demonstrate that politics ignoring the will of the people cannot survive."

Both candidates expressed their determination for 'recreating the administration' on the day. Jang Se-il, candidate for Yeonggwang County mayor, said, "I will contribute to firmly establishing local government and definitely creating a democratic administration through a landslide victory." Jo Sang-rae, candidate for Gokseong County mayor, stated, "I will contribute to the victory of leader Lee Jae-myung in the presidential election."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is taking a commemorative photo with candidates at the nomination certificate awarding ceremony for the October 16 by-elections held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joguk Innovation Party finalized Park Woong-du as its candidate for Gokseong County mayor the previous afternoon. For the Yeonggwang County mayoral race, the party announced it will hold a runoff vote between candidates Jang Hyun and Jeong Gwang-il before deciding on a candidate. Jang Hyun joined the Joguk Innovation Party just one day after leaving the Democratic Party, citing an 'unfair primary' during the Democratic Party's nomination process.

Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk declared a full-scale confrontation with the Democratic Party in the Honam region, including moving into 'monthly rent living' in Honam. The outcome of the Honam public sentiment revealed in the by-elections is expected to influence the future political landscape of the opposition parties.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is purchasing Yeonggwang Gulbi at the Beopseong branch of the Yeonggwang County Fisheries Cooperative on the afternoon of the 10th. [Image source=Yonhap News]