Candidate Unification Fails in Key Elections in Pyeongtaek and Busan

6.3 by-elections in Pyeongtaek and Busan North Gap are heating up as candidate unification efforts have effectively collapsed, leading to heightened tensions among the candidates. Initially, there was speculation about a possible unification of progressive and conservative candidates, but escalating power struggles have deepened divisions.

According to political sources on June 2, the conflict in Pyeongtaek has escalated into a partisan battle. Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party has launched a concentrated attack on Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party over allegations of operating a loan shark business, prompting a negative campaign between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party. As the Innovation Party pressured Kim to reconsider his candidacy, the Democratic Party labeled Jo as a 'fake Democratic candidate,' intensifying their counterattacks.

On the eve of the election, Democratic Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae stated, "The Democratic candidate for Pyeongtaek is Kim Yong-nam, not Jo Guk," asserting that while it may appear to be a two-horse race, the People Power Party candidate's support is rising, increasing the likelihood of a three-way contest. He previously questioned Jo's legitimacy, asking, "Why is the Innovation Party candidate running under the guise of the Democratic Party?" Jo countered, saying, "Can't you hear the voices across the country of forces conspiring against the Democratic progressive camp?"

Meanwhile, Yoo Ui-dong of the People Power Party left the door open for unification with Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party. In an emergency press conference, Yoo urged Hwang to unify, stating, "We cannot let our small differences allow the candidates of privilege and unfairness to take Pyeongtaek." He added, "Public sentiment is already leaning towards me. A decisive victory is possible even in a five-candidate race, but if we unite, a more certain and overwhelming victory is guaranteed. Let’s set aside our minor differences and work together on the larger path." However, Hwang's conditions for unification, which include an apology regarding former President Park Geun-hye and a change in stance on election fraud, have led to skepticism about the feasibility of such an alliance.

In Busan North Gap, the three candidates are also engaged in mutual attacks. Democratic candidate Ha Jung-woo took to Facebook to target independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, stating, "I am not a powerful special prosecutor or a media-favored presidential contender. I lack flashy rhetoric and enthusiastic fandom. However, what I possess is a strong will and desire to work for Buk-gu." He emphasized, "I have no ambition to become president or rebuild conservatism; my only responsibility and mission is to work for Buk-gu."

In contrast, Han responded to allegations of 'collective false residency' raised by the Democratic Party, calling them "absurd claims that are the opposite of the reality in Buk-gu," and hinted at legal action. The Democratic Party's Busan chapter had previously reported that Han and his supporters were attempting organized and collective false residency in Buk-gu and called for a thorough investigation by the election commission.

Han pointed to monthly population statistics released by the Buk-gu office, showing a decline in population in April and May, arguing, "If there were organized false residencies, how could the population continue to decrease? The desperation of the Democratic Party and Ha's camp, facing imminent defeat, is clearly revealed through their false smear tactics. I will hold them accountable without exception for their mudslinging tactics that turn the election into a quagmire."

Meanwhile, Park Min-sik of the People Power Party intensified his attacks on Han, stating, "Please judge the other independent candidate who sees Buk-gu as just a stop on the way to division among conservatives with your vote." Kim Seong-geun, an independent candidate in the Busan North Gap by-election, announced his withdrawal from the race and declared his support for Park a day before the election. Park described Kim's endorsement as a judgment and warning against forces that attempted to distort public sentiment through dubious opinion polls, asserting, "There is a rising anger among true Buk-gu residents to eradicate fake transient politics and opportunistic politics."