Six People Power Party Gyeonggi Lawmakers Urge Swift Finalization of Gyeonggi Governor Candidate

"Symbolism and Influence of Gyeonggi Must Be Taken Into Account"

All National Assembly members of the People Power Party whose constituencies are in Gyeonggi Province have urged the party's Nomination Management Committee to "finalize the candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor and announce the final candidate as soon as possible."

On April 16, six lawmakers—Kim Sunghyo, Kim Sungwon, Song Seokjun, Ahn Cheolsoo, Kim Eunhye, and Kim Yongtae—submitted this request to the party's central nomination committee, stating, "The symbolism and influence of Gyeonggi Province must be taken into account."

Photo of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee meeting on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The lawmakers pointed out that "as the selection of the Gyeonggi governor candidate is delayed, the election campaigns of the 31 basic local government heads and metropolitan and basic council candidates in the province are losing their focal point and drifting."

They continued, "The governor of Gyeonggi is the commander of the capital region elections. Holding an election without a designated commander undermines organizational unity and gives voters the negative impression that the party is unprepared."

They also appealed, "If the candidate selection is delayed at this point, there will be absolutely insufficient time for a winning, viable candidate to present a vision for provincial administration and expand their reach to the 14 million residents of the province."

The lawmakers called on the nomination committee to "make a strategic decision as soon as possible, selecting a candidate with the competitiveness and scalability to lead the overall race in Gyeonggi Province."

They added, "If we lose Gyeonggi Province, we lose the capital region; if we lose the capital region, there will be no victory in the local elections. We earnestly request the nomination committee to listen to the urgent voices on the ground and make a wise and swift decision."

Within the People Power Party, after Supreme Council member Yang Hyangja and former lawmaker Ham Jinkyu applied for the Gyeonggi governor nomination, Supreme Council member Cho Gwanghan and former MBC announcer Lee Seongbae were additionally named as candidates, bringing the total to four.

In the Democratic Party of Korea, Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae was selected as the final Gyeonggi governor candidate on April 7. In the Reform Party, there is speculation that former Assemblyman Cho Eungcheon may run for Gyeonggi governor.

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