The Democratic Party said May 6 it will nominate Kim Eui-kyeom and Supreme Council member Park Jie-won for the June 3 National Assembly by-elections in Jeonbuk’s Gunsan-Gimje-Buan Gap and Eul districts.
It also confirmed nominations for Im Moon-young, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, in Gwangju’s Gwangsan-eul district; former Oceans and Fisheries Vice Minister Kim Seong-beom in Seogwipo, Jeju; and Park Hyeong-ryong, head of the party’s local committee in Dalseong County, Daegu.
With those picks, candidates have been finalized in all by-election constituencies except South Chungcheong’s Buyeo-Gongju-Cheongyang.
Senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon announced the decisions at the National Assembly, citing the party’s strategic nominations committee.
“We will do our utmost until the end so that the candidates announced today can earn the people’s choice,” Kang said.
Kang described Kim as “a native of Gunsan” who served as the Lee Jae-myung government’s first head of the Saemangeum Development Administration and “best understands” the Saemangeum project, the region’s biggest pending issue. He introduced Park as “a son of Jeonbuk and a son-in-law of Gimje” who, as a lawyer, has applied his expertise to regional development.
Kang said Im was born and raised in Gwangju and has overseen the Lee Jae-myung government’s AI policy. He said Kim was born in Seogwipo, attended school there through high school and is a top expert in maritime and fisheries affairs after 30 years of service at the ministry. He added that Park has “quietly devoted himself” in Daegu, which he called “one of the toughest” political areas, and said he is confident Park can win voters’ support.
On Buyeo-Gongju-Cheongyang, the party said it needs more time after former Buyeo County head Park Jeong-hyeon’s bid fell through. The National Election Commission on May 4 issued an authoritative interpretation that Park could not run amid a dispute over the deadline for resigning from public office.
Cho Seung-rae, the party’s secretary-general, said May 6 the party is considering both Won Seong-su, former president of Kongju National University, and a young lawyer for the seat.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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