Democratic Party Confirms Chung Wonoh for Seoul, Jeon Jaesoo for Busan... People Power Party to Decide Next Week

Chung Says, "One Team with Park Jumin and Jun Hyunhee"

Jeon, the Only Democratic Party Lawmaker in Busan

In the upcoming 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections on June 3, the most closely watched region in the Democratic Party’s race for metropolitan mayoral candidates, Seoul, has selected former Seongdong District Mayor Chung Won-oh as its final candidate. In Busan, as expected, Assemblyman Jeon Jae-soo, a former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, was chosen as the final candidate.

On the 9th, 55 days ahead of the 9th Nationwide Local Elections, officials are installing promotional banners encouraging voting participation at the Gyeonggi-do Election Commission in Yeongtong District, Suwon City, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 10, Candidate Chung expressed his intention to unite with his former rivals, Assemblymen Park Jumin and Jun Hyunhee, during a phone interview on the YouTube broadcast "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory: Humility Is Difficult." Chung said, "We spoke on the phone yesterday and agreed to move forward together as one team."

Chung had been leading in various opinion polls, making it likely he would secure victory in the Democratic Party’s internal primary. However, he faced intense attacks from other candidates during televised debates and endured numerous negative campaigns, resulting in a fierce race until the very end. In the main primary held from April 7 to 9, he won more than half the votes, becoming the final candidate without a runoff. Chung stated, "The party primary was extremely intense and meaningful," adding, "I am very grateful to be confirmed early as the candidate so I can go up against Mayor Oh Sehoon."

Chung built a reputation as an "effective administrator" after being elected three times in Seongdong District, where the People Power Party has a strong presence. In particular, last December, President Lee Jaemyung gave him a rare public compliment via social media, drawing attention to Chung as a so-called "Myung-pick" (a figure personally selected by President Lee). During the primary, Chung set up a temporary campaign office near Sindang-dong, Jung District, Seoul, and plans to move his headquarters near Seoul City Hall to prepare for the main election.

Having secured more than half the votes in the Busan mayoral primary, Assemblyman Jeon is considered the best candidate the Democratic Party can present. He has demonstrated his competitiveness by winning three terms in a challenging district, being the only Democratic Party lawmaker among Busan's 18 parliamentary constituencies. He has also proven his ability to push policies, such as facilitating the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, and is actively working to win over voters in the city. In a phone interview on "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory: Humility Is Difficult," Jeon commented, "After witnessing President Lee Jaemyung's leadership, I think local residents have developed more perspectives on competence versus incompetence."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party will select its Busan mayoral candidate on April 11 and its Seoul mayoral candidate on April 19. On April 10, the party will hold its second debate for the Seoul mayoral primary, with three candidates: Mayor Oh Sehoon, Assemblyman Park Sumin, and former Assemblywoman Yoon Heesook. Official election campaigning will take place from April 11 to 15, and on April 16 and 17, party member voting (50%) and a public opinion poll (50%) will be conducted, with the final candidate announced on April 18.

In Busan, Mayor Park Hyungjun and Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo are competing in the primary. After the party member voting (50%) and public opinion poll (50%) conclude on April 10, the candidate advancing to the main election will be determined on April 11. Mayor Park is leveraging his incumbent advantage and organizational strength, while Assemblyman Joo is campaigning as a "new figure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.