Lineup of Preliminary Candidates for Seoul Mayor Takes Shape
With 120 days remaining until the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections on June 3, preliminary candidate registration opens for heads of metropolitan governments and superintendents of education. In Seoul, which has emerged as the biggest battleground, the ruling and opposition parties' internal primary lineups are beginning to take shape. In Gangwon Province, the election atmosphere is heating up as an early head-to-head race has formed between former Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sangho and Gangwon Governor Kim Jintae.
On the 2nd, one day before the start of preliminary candidate registration for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections, officials at the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province are preparing to receive preliminary candidate registration applications. Yonhap News
According to the National Election Commission on the 3rd, citizens who are at least 18 years old as of the local election day (those born on or before June 4, 2008) may register as preliminary candidates starting today.
Once registered as a preliminary candidate, one may set up an election office and distribute campaign name cards. They may also engage in campaign activities such as wearing sashes or identification items, publishing and selling one type of preliminary candidate pledge booklet, and preparing and sending promotional materials (up to 10% of the number of households in the constituency). Preliminary candidates may form a preliminary candidate supporters' committee and raise donations up to 50% of the legally prescribed campaign spending limit.
Starting on the 20th, preliminary registration for metropolitan council members and heads of basic local governments will begin, and from the 22nd of next month, preliminary registration for county council members and county heads will each start. Registration for official candidates will take place for two days from May 14.
Under Article 53 of the Public Official Election Act, the deadline for public officials to resign is March 5, which is 90 days before election day.
This local election will be the first nationwide election since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and is therefore expected to serve as a barometer of public opinion on the management of state affairs. The People Power Party, now in opposition, will face public evaluation of its actions following the December 3 Martial Law Incident. The Democratic Party of Korea has expressed its ambition to take control of legislative, administrative, and local power all at once.
Within the ruling camp, competition is already intense over the key battleground of "retaking the Seoul mayoralty." Incumbent lawmakers Kim Youngbae, Seo Youngkyo, Park Jumin, and Park Honggeun (listed in Korean alphabetical order) have already declared their bids, and on the previous day, lawmaker Jeon Hyunhee also officially announced her candidacy.
Jeong Wono, head of Seoul's Seongdong District and a leading contender, is broadening his scope of activity, including by taking part as a panelist in the "Policy Forum on the Quasi-Public Operation System for Seoul City Buses" held at the National Assembly Library today. At the event, District Chief Jeong stressed, "We need a system in which the rail network forms the backbone and city buses, village buses, and public buses are connected like capillaries; a system in which public responsibility and private-sector dynamism are harmonized so that citizens enjoy convenient mobility, transport workers have stable lives, private transport companies achieve efficient management, and the Seoul city administration secures fiscal soundness." At a book launch event hosted the previous day in Seongdong District, Seoul, major ruling camp figures, including former Environment Minister Yoon Yeojoon, Democratic Party lawmakers Chae Hyunil, Lee Haesik, and Park Honggeun, as well as district mayors of Seoul, attended to lend their support.
Within the Democratic Party, the emergence of at least six potential candidates is signaling an internal primary that will be as fiercely contested as the main race. As the proposed merger with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party has become the biggest issue, lawmaker Park Jumin stoked the discussion on the 30th of last month by saying, "If we can do it, it is right to proceed as quickly as possible," while lawmaker Park Honggeun the previous day stated, "Let us stop the merger talks at this point," with each voicing strong opinions on internal party issues.
In the People Power Party, while Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon has expressed his intention to seek a fifth term, five-term lawmaker Na Kyungwon and four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo are also being mentioned as potential candidates. Whether former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon will run as an independent is another point of interest.
In the Gyeonggi gubernatorial race, incumbent Governor Kim Dongyeon of the Democratic Party is seeking re-election. Former lawmaker Yang Gidae has declared his candidacy, and lawmakers Kwon Chilseung, Kim Byungjoo, and Han Junho are also being mentioned as potential candidates. If National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae officially announces a bid for Gyeonggi governor, it is expected to reshape the race. In the People Power Party, regardless of their own stated intentions, lawmakers Ahn Cheolsoo and Kim Eunhye are being floated as possible candidates. Another major battleground is Busan, where a showdown between incumbent Busan Mayor Park Hyungjoon of the People Power Party and Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jaesoo is considered highly likely.
In Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province, often described as barometers of public sentiment, the stakes have risen due to discussions on integrating local administrations. In the Democratic Party, following lawmakers Jang Jongtae and Jang Cheolmin, former Daejeon Mayor Heo Taejeong has thrown his hat into the ring. Lawmakers Moon Jinseok and Park Soohyun, as well as former South Chungcheong Governor Yang Seungjo, are also being mentioned as potential candidates. In the People Power Party, incumbent South Chungcheong Governor Kim Taeheum and incumbent Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo have hinted at seeking another term.
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