[Exclusive] Political Networks Revealed by June 3 Local Election Fundraising Chairs... Kim Yong Tops Senior Figures

Song Younggil and Woo Wonshik Also Serve as Sponsor Chairmen for Multiple Candidates
Actors Lee Giyeong and Lee Wonjong Take Leading Roles as Sponsors
Senior and Veteran People Power Party Politicians Rarely Appear on Sponsor Chairman Lists

It has been confirmed that Kim Yong, former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute and known as a close confidant of President Lee Jaemyung, served as the fundraising committee chair for the largest number of gubernatorial and mayoral candidates in the June 3 local elections, surpassing senior and veteran politicians from both ruling and opposition parties.

According to an analysis by The Asia Business Daily on June 1 of the lists of fundraising committee chairs registered with the 17 regional election commissions nationwide, Kim served as fundraising committee chair for 22 candidates (including preliminary candidates). Among them, 17 advanced to the general election. The candidates he supported ran in various regions across the country: Seoul (7), Gyeonggi (5), Jeonnam (3), Gangwon (2), and one each in Incheon, Daejeon, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk.

While local elections may attract less political attention compared to presidential or general elections, they are called the largest nationwide elections because they involve the most elected positions. Serving as a fundraising committee chair demonstrates one's so-called “name value” and implies influence both within and outside the party. Although Kim Yong expressed his intention to run in the Gyeonggi-do parliamentary by-election during this local election but did not succeed, he is expected to wield significant influence on the political stage in the future.

Song Younggil, who is running in the Incheon Yeonsu-gap parliamentary by-election, also served as fundraising committee chair for several candidates. Song chaired fundraising committees for 11 other candidates across Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, reaffirming his status as a nationwide politician.

Woo Wonshik, former Speaker of the National Assembly, also served as fundraising committee chair for seven candidates. After completing his term as Speaker in the first half of the year and rejoining the Democratic Party last month, Woo focused his efforts mainly in the Yeongnam region, apart from his own district of Nowon. He chaired committees for two candidates in Gyeongbuk, including Oh Joonggi, Democratic Party candidate for Gyeongbuk governor, and for three candidates in Gyeongnam at the municipal level.

There were also cases where influential local politicians chaired fundraising committees for multiple candidates. Park Chan-dae, Democratic Party candidate for Incheon mayor, chaired the fundraising committees for five basic-level mayoral candidates running in Incheon. Kim Youngchun, former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries who retired from politics, took on several roles in the Busan area; Moon Jinseok, Democratic Party lawmaker, did so in the Chungnam area; and Heo Seongmu, Democratic Party lawmaker, in the Gyeongnam area. Additionally, it was confirmed that actors Lee Giyoung and Lee Wonjong also chaired multiple fundraising committees.

The two actors, who are also participating in the Democratic Party’s local election campaigns, publicly expressed their support for President Lee in the last presidential election and received positive responses from the party's supporters. Their high recognition and pro-Lee image are seen as reasons why they were preferred as fundraising committee chairs.

In the case of the People Power Party, it is rare for senior or veteran figures to serve as fundraising committee chairs for multiple candidates. Notable exceptions include former Daegu mayor Moon Heegap (for Daegu mayoral candidate Chu Kyung-ho), former governor Shim Daepyeong (for Chungnam governor candidate Kim Taeheum), former lawmaker Lee Inje (for Chungbuk governor candidate Kim Younghwan), and lawmaker Kim Seokki (for Gyeongbuk governor candidate Lee Cheolwoo).

Additionally, in the Reform New Party, party leader Lee Junseok served as fundraising committee chair for Gyeonggi governor candidate Cho Eungcheon and Goyang mayoral candidate Shin Hyuncheol.

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