People Power Party Incumbents vs. Democratic Party Newcomers: Old Guard Faces Off [June 3 Local Elections]

As of the 3rd, a little more than a month before the June 3 elections, the race for metropolitan and provincial governors is taking clear shape. Democratic Party of Korea candidates are challenging incumbent governors and mayors from the People Power Party. Since voters often lean toward challengers, the already favorable outlook for the ruling bloc, boosted by President Lee Jae-myung's soaring approval ratings, is becoming even more tilted. Still, a key factor that could shift the race is the "Special Counsel Bill on Alleged Fabricated Investigations and Prosecutions Under the Yoon Administration," which could allow the indictment of President Lee Jae-myung to be withdrawn.
According to political sources on the day, the People Power Party nominated all of its incumbent metropolitan and provincial leaders, while the Democratic Party of Korea left all of its incumbents off the ticket. The result is a face-off between sitting leaders and challengers.
In the Seoul metropolitan area, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok are seeking reelection against Democratic Party candidates Jung Won-oh and Park Chan-dae, respectively. In Gyeonggi Province, incumbent Governor Kim Dong-yeon was pushed aside by the Democratic Party, which fielded Choo Mi-ae, while the People Power Party put Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja forward as its challenger.
The pattern is similar outside the capital region. The Democratic Party replaced incumbent leaders in strongholds such as North Jeolla Province, South Jeolla Province, Gwangju, and Jeju, fueling a nationwide call for change. Former lawmakers Lee Won-taek, Min Hyung-bae, and Wi Seong-gon are making their first bids for governor of North Jeolla Province, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Mayor, and governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, respectively. The People Power Party has put forward former local party chair Yang Jeong-mu, former nomination management committee chair Lee Jung-hyun, and former Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO) president Moon Sung-yu.
The People Power Party has selected Kim Jin-tae, governor of Gangwon State; Kim Tae-heum, governor of South Chungcheong Province; Kim Young-hwan, governor of North Chungcheong Province; Choi Min-ho, mayor of Sejong City; Lee Jang-woo, mayor of Daejeon; Lee Cheol-woo, governor of North Gyeongsang Province; Park Wan-su, governor of South Gyeongsang Province; Park Hyung-joon, mayor of Busan; and Kim Doo-gyum, mayor of Ulsan, as its candidates, all of whom are seeking reelection. The Democratic Party countered with former Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho, former lawmaker Park Soo-hyun, former Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy vice chair Shin Yong-han, former Sejong City vice mayor for economic affairs Cho Sang-ho, former Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong, former regional committee chair Oh Jung-gi, former Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy chair Kim Kyoung-soo, former lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo, and former lawmaker Kim Sang-wook.
With the Democratic Party benefiting both from the early stage of the administration and from the challenger-versus-incumbent dynamic, political observers say it could win most metropolitan and provincial seats. Some even predict that Daegu, a traditional People Power Party stronghold, could produce a Democratic Party mayor for the first time. Although the race has tilted enough to make even Daegu a battleground, variables remain. They include an anti-government push aimed at blocking efforts to withdraw the indictment in President Lee's case, as well as a conservative candidate unification between the People Power Party and the Reform Party (RP). The Reform Party has fielded Kim Jeong-cheol, Jo Eungcheon, and Jeong I-han in the Seoul mayoral race, the Gyeonggi governor race, and the Busan mayoral race, respectively.
Candidate Jo Eungcheon said on the day that the Democratic Party's Special Counsel Act on Fabricated Prosecutions by the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration amounts to pressure to withdraw President Lee's indictment, and proposed a joint opposition meeting of candidates in the Seoul metropolitan area. The aim is to build a united front against the government. Oh Se-hoon, Yoo Jeong-bok, and Yang Hyang-ja of the People Power Party, along with RP candidates Kim Jeong-cheol and Jo Eungcheon, are scheduled to meet in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 4th.
uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yoon-ho Reporter