Was Song Young-gil's nomination in Incheon Yeonsu A influenced by Jung Chung-rae's future party leadership ambitions?

Newsis News Agency [The Financial News] The Democratic Party has wrapped up its candidate coordination for the June 3 by-elections in Incheon for National Assembly seats. The move is drawing attention, with some saying it reveals the calculations of party leader Jung Chung-rae, who is eyeing the next party leadership race. On the 24th, the party leadership held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City, and formally introduced its candidates for mayor and National Assembly seats.
Park Chan-dae, a lawmaker from Yeonsu A, will run for mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City. Song Young-gil, the former party leader whose seat in Yeonsu A became vacant because of Park's candidacy, will run in the by-election, while Kim Nam-jun, a former Blue House spokesperson, will contest Gyeyang B, the district once represented by President Lee Jae-myung. Jung Chung-rae appeared to be mindful of Song's earlier expression of interest in running in Gyeyang B, saying, "As party leader, I had many concerns.
" Song is a five-term lawmaker from Gyeyang B. Even so, some interpret the decision to nominate Kim as a move that takes future relations with Cheong Wa Dae into account. Others also suggest the nomination was meant to keep Song in check, given expectations that he would compete for the next party leadership if he returned to the National Assembly.
If Song were elected in Gyeyang B, it could be read as a political message that he is Lee Jae-myung's successor, which is why the party settled on nominating him in Incheon Yeonsu A. Jung said, "I thought about how difficult it must be to part with the residents of Gyeyang B, whom he has been with for more than 20 years," but added, "If a leader is needed in a more difficult district, or if a bigger role is needed, he should be willing to go. I am grateful to former leader Song Young-gil for readily following the party's decision.
" Kim also attended the meeting and said, "I resolve not to let down Song, who has deep affection for Gyeyang," adding, "I sincerely thank Jung Chung-rae and the central party headquarters for giving me the chance to work as a servant of Gyeyang. I also offer my respect and gratitude to Song Young-gil, who laid the groundwork for Gyeyang's development. " In response, Song said, "I have come full circle and rejoined the Democratic Party.
I thank Jung Chung-rae, the leadership, and the residents of Gyeyang whom I love for nominating me in Yeonsu A. " He added, "I will build on the work of Park Chan-dae, who protected the difficult Yeonsu area for three consecutive terms, and cooperate closely. I will also do my best to help Kim Nam-jun win the by-election.
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jiwon.song@fnnews.com Song Ji-won Reporter