[6.3 Barometer: Four Constituencies] ④Pyeongtaek-eul Holds the Fate of Progressives... Five-Way "Turbulent Race" Until the End

Three-Way Race Among Kim Yongnam, Yoo Euidong, and Jo Guk
Progressive Bloc Could Fracture Regardless of Election Outcome
Conservative Unification Also Unlikely

With the de facto collapse of efforts to unify the progressive and conservative camps in the National Assembly by-election for Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, the race is expected to remain unpredictable until the very end. In particular, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Innovation Party for the Nation, both of which have engaged in negative campaigning against each other, are expected to find it difficult to resolve their conflicts even after the election.

On June 2, one day before the main vote, five candidates remain in the race for Pyeongtaek: Kim Yongnam of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party, Cho Guk of the Innovation Party for the Nation, Kim Jaeyeon of the Progressive Party, and Hwang Kyoahn of Liberty and Innovation. Among them, Kim Yongnam, Yoo Eui-dong, and Cho Guk form the main three-way race.

(Pyeongtaek = Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Gi-won = Candidates running in the National Assembly by-election for Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, appealed for support in the Pyeongtaek area on the 21st. From the left, Kim Yongnam of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party, Cho Guk of the Innovation Party for the Nation, Kim Jaeyeon of the Progressive Party, and Hwang Kyoahn of Liberty and Innovation. 2026.5.21 xanadu@yna.co.kr (End)

The Democratic Party of Korea and the Innovation Party for the Nation, both representing the progressive camp, have called each other "fake candidate" and have not hesitated to use language such as "the seed of division in the democratic camp" and "filth," crossing the line with personal attacks. This atmosphere is putting a damper on any discussions about a merger or unification between the two parties.

The Innovation Party for the Nation, in particular, is expected to suffer a major blow if defeated. There are concerns not only about the political standing of Cho Guk, a major presidential contender, but also about the very survival of the party. The Innovation Party for the Nation has focused all its resources on Pyeongtaek, with its party leader personally running in the election.

Even if the Innovation Party for the Nation wins, unifying the progressive camp is not expected to be easy. Although Cho Guk has stated that he will lead discussions on merging with the Democratic Party of Korea if elected, it remains to be seen whether the Democratic Party of Korea will respond positively. Democratic Party of Korea Supreme Council member Hwang Myungseon drew a clear line, saying, "As a Supreme Council member, I can say that we are not considering a merger with the Innovation Party for the Nation after the election." A Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker from Gyeonggi Province also commented, "Even if Cho Guk is elected, the Innovation Party for the Nation, as a minor party, cannot take the lead in a merger." Lee Jaemook, professor of political science and international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, diagnosed, "Regardless of the election outcome, divisions and conflicts within the camp may deepen."

Unification of the conservative camp also seems unlikely. While Hwang Kyoahn has stated that "unification is still an option," he is demanding that Yoo Eui-dong apologize for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Some observers note that since early voting has already ended, even a dramatic unification at this stage would have limited effect. Meanwhile, the early voting turnout in Pyeongtaek was 18.39 percent, below the nationwide average of 24.12 percent for by-elections.

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