The Democratic Party of Korea’s candidates for 16 metropolitan-level mayor and governor posts in the June 3 local elections declared they would run as “one team,” vowing to help ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and seek an overwhelming victory through coordinated campaigning.
The candidates made the pledge at a joint meeting held April 23 at the National Assembly. Daegu mayoral candidate Kim Boo-kyum and South Gyeongsang governor candidate Kim Kyung-soo did not attend due to local schedules; Heo Seong-moo, head of the party’s South Gyeongsang chapter, and Heo So, head of the Daegu chapter, attended in their place. Kim Boo-kyum and Kim Kyung-soo delivered video messages outlining their determination for the race.
At the event, candidates placed stickers marking their constituencies on a board featuring a map of South Korea. Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae concluded the display by adding a sticker reading “normalization of the Republic of Korea.”
“We were born on this land with a historic mission to win the June 3 local elections and ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government,” Jeong said. He added that the public, through what he called a “revolution of light,” had restored a constitution and democracy he said had been undermined and had launched the Lee government, and that the party must repay that support.
Jeong also said protests outside party headquarters and scenes of head-shaving and hunger strikes were now hard to find during the nomination process, adding, “I believe the candidates chosen through the most democratic procedures are the most competitive.”
He urged candidates who are sitting lawmakers to resign their parliamentary seats on April 29 and focus fully on their campaigns. “Set your goals low, keep your posture low, and show through humble hard work that you will do even more,” he said.
Under the Public Official Election Act, first-half by-elections are held for vacancies confirmed by April 30, while the deadline for incumbent lawmakers to resign in order to run in local elections is May 4. Some observers had suggested the party could delay resignations for strategic reasons; Jeong’s renewed call underscored the push for a coordinated, early departure.
Candidates also argued that local governments must actively support the Lee administration. Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh said a capable local government is needed to work in step with the central government and “prove it with results on the ground.” Gyeonggi governor candidate Choo Mi-ae said the party “must win” to back what she called a “people’s sovereignty government.” Incheon mayoral candidate Park Chan-dae said local governments must act as one team to help the administration reach people’s daily lives.
They also pledged efforts on balanced national development, overcoming regionalism and building a “mega-city” in the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang area, while appealing for support.
After a closed-door session, senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun told reporters that Jeong said the party would provide active support and urged candidates to boost synergy through interregional solidarity.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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