The Democratic Party of Korea decided to strategically nominate former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae for Hanam-gap in Gyeonggi Province, former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam for Pyeongtaek-eul, and former lawmaker Kim Nam-kook for Ansan-gap in the National Assembly by-elections to be held alongside the June 3 local elections. With the nomination of Kim Yong-nam, who has served as a "Cho Kuk sniper," for Pyeongtaek-eul where Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk is running, the pan-ruling bloc coalition is expected to face significant turbulence. Kim Yong, former vice president of the Democratic Research Institute, who had strongly expressed his intention to run in the Gyeonggi by-elections, ultimately failed to secure a nomination.
Kang Jun-hyun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, announced the strategic nomination results after a closed-door Supreme Council meeting on the 27th. Regarding Kim Yong-nam's nomination for Pyeongtaek-eul, Kang said, "This is a strategic stronghold with strong conservative leanings," adding, "We determined that he possesses the competitiveness to win even in difficult terrain with a broad support base that transcends political camps." Responding to criticism that it might be inappropriate to field Kim Yong-nam as the opposing candidate in a district where Cho is running, Kang dismissed the concern, saying, "We don't think so," and "We didn't make the decision with consideration of who he would be competing against."
Kim Yong-nam served as a sniper against Cho during the era of the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, launching attacks such as calling Cho "a person at the pinnacle of stock manipulation forces."
Lee, who had attempted to run again for Gangwon governor but yielded to candidate Woo Sang-ho, will now seek to enter the National Assembly through Hanam-gap, which became vacant following Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate Choo Mi-ae's candidacy. Kang said, "He is a candidate who has practiced putting the party before himself whenever the party faced difficulties," adding, "He has both the experience of winning in conservative strongholds and a high understanding of metropolitan area issues." In addition, former lawmaker Kim Nam-kook, who stirred controversy with remarks such as soliciting a job appointment for a "local older sister," will attempt to re-enter parliament through Ansan after about two years.
With the completion of the Democratic Party's lineup of candidates for the Gyeonggi by-elections, Kim Yong's candidacy has effectively fallen through. Kim expressed his intention to run in Hanam-gap but could not overcome the veto from party leadership, which used "public sentiment" as its evaluation standard. Cho Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, said, "Many people inside and outside the party voiced the opinion that Kim should be given a chance, given that he is a victim of fabricated prosecutorial indictments," but added, "The party comprehensively judged the impact on the entire local and by-elections and determined it would be appropriate not to nominate him." Regarding the possibility of nomination in regions outside Gyeonggi, he said, "Please understand that it will be difficult."
Meanwhile, Ha Jung-woo, Presidential Office Senior Secretary for AI and Future Planning, is expected to run in Busan Buk-gap, where a by-election will be held following Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-soo's candidacy. Ha submitted his resignation to the Presidential Office that day and began full-scale preparations for his candidacy. Cho said, "I met with Secretary Ha on the 6th, and yesterday (the 26th), Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae met with him for a final conversation regarding his candidacy," explaining, "The procedures for joining the party and nomination for talent recruitment will proceed in due course." Jung told reporters that day about Ha, calling him "the architect of the policy to make Korea one of the top three AI powers," and said, "I told him it needs to be completed and finalized through legislation in the National Assembly."
Jeon Eun-su, Presidential Office spokesperson, also submitted her resignation, making her candidacy in Asan-eul in South Chungcheong Province — which became vacant following former chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik's resignation from his legislative seat — a foregone conclusion. Jeon narrowly lost in Ulsan Nam-gap, considered difficult terrain, in the last general election before serving as the "mouth of the president" at the Presidential Office. In Asan-eul, she is expected to face off against Kim Min-kyung, secretary of the "Mom-Friendly Special Committee," who was nominated as the People Power Party's candidate.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmaker Cha Ji-ho, who had been mentioned as Ha's potential successor, drew a line against rumors of his recruitment to the Presidential Office. Cha stated on social media, "The claim that I am going to serve as the Presidential Office's AI Senior Secretary is not true," adding, "I do not take lightly the promises I made with citizens and my responsibility for Osan's future."