Over 10 By-Elections Set for Fierce Battles with Heavyweight Politicians

As the number of constituencies for the National Assembly by-elections, to be held alongside the June 3 local elections, exceeds 10, a nationwide contest is gaining momentum, with the political careers of heavyweights such as Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon, and Song Young-gil on the line. The by-elections, which will fill 15 seats, are drawing significant attention after major parties concluded their nominations for metropolitan mayor and governor positions.

The Democratic Party has requested Ha Jung-woo, Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning at the Presidential Office, to run in the Busan Buk-gu Gap constituency, with party leader Jeong Cheong-rae describing him as 'a necessary talent.' In the same Busan Buk-gu Gap district, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik are reportedly considering bids, suggesting a competitive landscape of at least three candidates. Han Dong-hoon himself hinted at his deliberations regarding a Busan candidacy during an interview with YTN Radio on the 22nd of last month.

In Ansan Gap, Gyeonggi Province, where Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Nam-guk has announced his candidacy, an intra-party competition is taking shape with potential candidacies being discussed from various factions, including Kim Yong, former Vice President of the Democratic Research Institute, and former lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol.

In Incheon Gyeyang-eul, the former constituency of President Lee Jae-myung, Kim Nam-joon, former Presidential Spokesperson, and Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party, are reportedly vying for the nomination. Meanwhile, potential candidates from the People Power Party include former ministers Kim Moon-soo and Won Hee-ryong.

The potential candidacy of Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is also a key point of interest. Cho has mentioned the possibility of running in Hanam Gap, Gyeonggi Province, and is deliberating amid discussions for an alliance. The People Power Party is aiming to reclaim constituencies with strong conservative support; former lawmaker Lee Yong is preparing for a comeback bid in Pyeongtaek-eul, and Kim Tae-gyu, former Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, has thrown his hat in the ring for Ulsan Nam-gap.