Six Candidates from the Democratic Party Apply for Damyang County Governor By-election

Kim Yongju, Kim Jeongo, Kim Jongjin, Yoon Youngdeok, Lee Jaejong, Choi Hwasam
Document screening on the 19th-20th... Final primary candidates to be decided on the 24th
Rumors of "strategic nomination" arise due to primary procedures and schedule
Early presidential election may force adjustment of election schedule

Democratic Party of Korea symbol.

The by-election for Damyang County Governor in Jeollanam-do is scheduled to be held on April 2, and it has been confirmed that six people have applied for the Democratic Party of Korea candidacy.

According to the Democratic Party of Korea on the 18th, the party formed the Public Office Candidate Recommendation Management Committee and accepted applications for the Damyang County Governor by-election candidacy until the 17th. As a result, six people registered: Kim Yongju, former Damyang County Economic Affairs Director; Kim Jeongo, former Damyang County Council member; Kim Jongjin, Vice Chairperson of the Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong Regional Committee; Yoon Youngdeok, former National Assembly member; Lee Jaejong, former Blue House administrator; and Choi Hwasam, Chairman of Damyang Saemaeul Geumgo.

The by-election was triggered after former Governor Lee Byungno was confirmed by the Supreme Court on March 13 to have his election annulled due to violations of the Public Official Election Act.

The Democratic Party plans to announce the results of the document screening and the nomination method as early as the 19th or 20th. The candidate nomination committee will review eligibility and plans to finalize the candidates for the primary around the 24th.

The by-elections for the first half of this year are originally scheduled for April 2. Accordingly, the Damyang County Governor by-election schedule will proceed as follows: candidate registration on March 13-14, early voting on March 28-29, and the main vote on April 2.

However, if the impeachment trial of President Yoon Sukyeol is upheld by the Constitutional Court before March 12, the schedule may inevitably be adjusted as it would coincide with the 21st presidential election.

Regarding the Democratic Party primary, some have suggested that a "strategic nomination" may be necessary given the tight schedule and the primary procedures, and specific candidates are already being mentioned.

In response, Lee Gaeho, the regional committee chairperson, said in a phone interview with this paper, "As of now, nothing has been decided. Everyone agrees that there should be no controversy during the primary process," and added, "I believe the central party will make a sound decision and handle the matter appropriately."

Meanwhile, in the Damyang County Governor by-election, Jeong Cheolwon, Chairperson of Damyang County Council, is expected to run as the Progressive Party candidate, and Kim Kisuk, former Damyang County Council member, is expected to run as an independent. Choi Hyeongsik, former Damyang County Governor, who was rumored to run, did not apply for the Democratic Party candidacy this time.