DPK Holds Interviews for Metropolitan Chiefs... Six-Way Race for Seoul Mayor with Kim Youngbae, Kim Hyungnam, Park Jumin, Park Honggeun, Jeon Hyunhee, and Jung Wono

Party Nomination Committee Holds Second Plenary Meeting

The Nomination Management Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea began the interview screening of candidates for heads of metropolitan governments on the 23rd, 100 days before the local elections, thereby formally launching the nomination process. The party plans to complete nominations by mid-April so that its candidates can campaign for at least one month.

The party's Nomination Management Committee held its second full meeting at the central headquarters on this day. Former Constitutional Court Justice Kim Yi-su, who chairs the committee, said, "The committee is operating under three principles: fair management, strict management, and reasonable and equitable outcomes," adding, "Upon taking this position and looking into it, I found that as a democratic national party, the Democratic Party of Korea has its party constitution, party regulations, and various primary rules systematized to ensure nominations are made through a structured process. On this foundation, we will select the most suitable candidates."

(Seoul=Yonhap) Photo by Shin Hyunwoo ? Preliminary candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea running for Seoul mayor in the June 3 local elections attended a metropolitan government head candidates' interview held at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd and posed for a commemorative photo. From the left: Democratic Party of Korea Member of the National Assembly Kim Youngbae, former Secretary-General of the Military Human Rights Center Kim Hyungnam, Democratic Party of Korea Members of the National Assembly Park Jumin, Park Honggeun, and Jeon Hyunhee, and Jung Wono, Mayor of Seongdong District. 2026.2.23 nowwego@yna.co.kr (End)

Cho Seunghrae, deputy chair of the committee and the party's secretary-general, said, "We will do our utmost to secure victory in the local elections to be held 100 days from now," and emphasized, "To that end, it is most important that we strictly manage nominations so that we can discover capable people whom the public, citizens, and party members can understand and accept, and so that such people can be given opportunities."

Secretary-General Cho added, "In particular, this election is one that will judge the local power of the incompetent People Power Party," and continued, "In that regard, our party intends to discover capable talents who can revive their regions and present them to you. This election is about bringing in capable talents to hold incompetence to account. We will manage nominations with this in mind."

The first round of interviews for metropolitan candidates was for those running for Seoul mayor. A total of six people registered as candidates: Member of the National Assembly Kim Youngbae, former Secretary-General of the Military Human Rights Center Kim Hyungnam, Members of the National Assembly Park Jumin, Park Honggeun, and Jeon Hyunhee, and Jung Wono, Mayor of Seongdong District. Former lawmaker Park Yongjin, who had hinted at a bid for Seoul mayor, did not register as a candidate during the application period.

Unless he registers during an additional application period, it appears unlikely that he will be able to run as a candidate for Seoul mayor. A representative from former lawmaker Park's side said, "He is considering running sometime between late February and early March, which is the additional application period." Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Seo Youngkyo announced on this day that she is withdrawing her bid.