Democratic Party Finalizes Regional Governor Nominations... Bets on Incumbent Replacements

The Democratic Party has completed nominations for all 16 regional governor/mayoral positions nationwide, with the confirmation of its candidate for Jeju Governor on April 18th. In this process, five incumbent regional leaders were either eliminated or expelled from the party and replaced.

Rep. Min Hyung-bae secured the nomination for the Gwangju Mayor and Jeonnam Province Governor race, defeating current Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok in the preliminary contest. Rep. Park Soo-hyun was confirmed as the candidate for Chungnam Province, surpassing incumbent Governor Yang Seung-jo.

After finalizing its regional leader candidates, the Democratic Party has commenced nomination work for 13 National Assembly by-elections. Attorney Jeon Tae-jin was strategically nominated for the Ulsan Nam-gap constituency.

The Democratic Party aims to consolidate the narrative of governmental stability through the upcoming local elections and by-elections. It is simultaneously pursuing a strategy to win difficult 'tough' constituencies and defend seats in the Seoul metropolitan area, focusing on candidates with reformist leanings.