Democratic Party Accelerates By-election Nominations; Internal Divisions Emerge Over Kim Yong, Song Young-gil Candidacies

The Democratic Party is accelerating its candidate selection process for National Assembly by-elections, having completed nominations for the June 3 local elections.

Internal party disagreements are emerging over the candidacies of Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Institute, who is considered a close associate of President Lee Jae-myung, and former party leader Song Young-gil.

For former deputy director Kim, who has expressed his intention to run in a Gyeonggi Province by-election, there are cautious voices within the party due to his second-instance conviction related to the Daejang-dong allegations. However, Supreme Council members Kang Duk-gu and Hwang Myung-sun disagree with the cautious stance, citing a lack of precedent for nominations while a Supreme Court ruling is pending, and are supporting Kim’s candidacy.

The future of former leader Song, who recently returned to the party, also remains uncertain. He has expressed interest in running in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, but coordination with former Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon is necessary. A senior lawmaker close to Song indicated that the possibility of him running in a difficult constituency like Hanam-gap cannot be ruled out, stating they would follow the party's decision.