Chungnam Asan Mayoral By-election Expected to Be a Fierce Three-way Race

A Fierce Race Expected Among Jeon Mankwon of People Power Party, Oh Sehyun of Democratic Party, and Cho Deokho of Saemirae Democratic Party

From the left, Oh Sehyun of the Democratic Party, Jeon Mankwon of the People Power Party, and Jo Deokho, preliminary candidate of the New Future Democratic Party (in the order of the Election Commission's preliminary candidate list).

The Asan mayoral by-election, scheduled for April 2, is expected to be a fierce contest among Jeon Mankwon of the People Power Party, Oh Sehyun of the Democratic Party, and Cho Deokho of the Saemirae Democratic Party.

In the People Power Party, Jeon Mankwon won the primary on the 25th, but controversy over the primary process continues.

Although the court dismissed the injunction filed by Lee Gyosik, head of the Asan City Policy Research Institute, and Yoo Gijun, former chairman of the Asan City Council?both of whom were cut off during the candidate selection process?against the Chungnam Provincial Party, the main lawsuit is still ongoing.

Additionally, the Democratic Party is criticizing former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon for his statement that the party would not field candidates in by-elections caused by its own faults.

Attention is focused on whether Jeon, who has presented himself as a crisis management expert, can restore the ruling party's standing amid these difficult circumstances.

In the Democratic Party, Oh Sehyun has emerged as the main candidate. Although Kim Youngkwon once raised objections during the candidate selection process, he eventually accepted the outcome, preventing further conflict.

Oh is emphasizing the ruling party's responsibility, pointing out that this by-election is being held due to former People Power Party mayor Park Kyunggui's violation of the Public Official Election Act.

In the Saemirae Democratic Party, Cho Deokho, head of the Chungnam Provincial Party, entered the race without any notable competition.

Since registering as a preliminary candidate on December 20 last year, Cho has not shown any significant activity.

Meanwhile, official candidate registration will take place from March 13 to 15. The campaign period begins on the 20th of the same month, and early voting will be held from the 28th to the 29th.