The Chuseok holiday is just one day away.
Whether people are returning to their hometowns or spending Chuseok in Seoul and the metropolitan area, everyone will likely welcome the holiday with a joyful heart.
When families gather during the holiday, discussions can range from everyday matters to issues concerning the national economy, defense, and diplomacy. In particular, conversations are expected to continue with various opinions on the sharply divided political situation between the ruling and opposition parties following the 22nd general election.
Among these topics, the Seoul mayoral election, which is about a year and a half away, is likely to be mentioned. By next Chuseok, serious discussions about the candidates for Seoul mayor from each party will be underway.
Already, rumors about candidates vying for the Seoul mayor position are circulating around political circles, confirming that politics remains a topic of interest for the entire nation.
Both the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have started to discuss various matters. While the candidates themselves are cautious in their conduct, those around them are speculating on who might have the advantage as the next Seoul mayor candidate.
For the Democratic Party of Korea, which won a landslide victory in the 22nd general election, securing the next Seoul mayor position is seen as advantageous for a future presidential bid, and thus potential candidates are being mentioned.
In particular, with People Power Party’s Mayor Oh Se-hoon reportedly aiming for the presidency, the Democratic Party sees a strong possibility of reclaiming the mayor’s office.
A political insider recently stated, “There are as many as eight candidates for the Seoul mayor position.” They mentioned Kim Min-seok, Senior Supreme Council Member; Park Hong-geun, Jeong Cheong-rae, and Hwang Hee, members of the National Assembly; as well as former members Woo Sang-ho, Hong Ik-pyo, and Lim Jong-seok.
Especially, Kim Min-seok, the Senior Supreme Council Member, is said to have a strong chance of redemption this time, having previously run as the Democratic Party’s Seoul mayor candidate at a young age and lost to former President Lee Myung-bak.
Former member Woo Sang-ho is also expected to remain eager about the Seoul mayor position, having previously participated in the Democratic Party’s mayoral primary and lost.
Additionally, four-term members Park Hong-geun and Jeong Cheong-rae, three-term member Hwang Hee, and former member Hong Ik-pyo are also known to have strong intentions regarding the Seoul mayor position.
On the other hand, the People Power Party’s expected candidates include five-term member Na Kyung-won, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, and former members Lee Hye-hoon and Yoon Hee-sook.
Among them, Na Kyung-won is anticipated to be the frontrunner for the Seoul mayor candidacy, while attention is focused on whether other candidates will emerge.
Meanwhile, the elections for the heads of Seoul’s 25 districts are also drawing attention. Currently, the People Power Party holds the mayor positions in Jongno, Jung-gu, Yongsan, Gwangjin, Dongdaemun, Mapo, Seodaemun, Yeongdeungpo, Guro, Yangcheon, Dongjak, Dobong, Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, and Gangdong districts.
It is uncertain how the next elections will unfold, but competition among Democratic Party candidates is expected to intensify. Politics is like a living organism, and no one can predict how the political situation will develop. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that candidates will prepare discreetly without revealing themselves.
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