Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon and Jo Guk of the Justice Party received mixed results in the June 3 local elections. Han secured a victory in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, marking a significant political comeback, while Jo's attempt to return to the National Assembly was unsuccessful, raising questions about their future political paths.
As of 2 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission reported that Han won the Busan Buk-gap by-election with 42.99% of the vote. Upon confirmation of his victory, Han expressed gratitude to the citizens of Buk-gu, stating, "This historic victory opens the path for the future of Buk-gu and the rebuilding of conservatism. I will work to develop Buk-gu, restore conservatism, and control the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in South Korea." Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo received 41.24% of the votes, failing to secure a seat in the Assembly.
At the same time, Jo received 27.44% of the votes in the Pyeongtaek-eul district, resulting in a defeat. In that district, Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party, a three-term incumbent, is projected to win with 34.59% of the vote.
Jo's candidacy in Pyeongtaek-eul was part of a five-way race. Alongside Jo, candidates included Kim Jae-yeon of the Justice Party, Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party, Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party, and Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party. Discussions of a potential unification among candidates ultimately fell through. During a rally in Goddeok-dong the day before the election, Jo urged voters, saying, "Now, the voters, the citizens of Pyeongtaek, must unify through their votes. If you make me the overwhelming number one, I will lead the solidarity and integration of the entire democratic progressive camp with that strength," but it was not enough to secure a win.
In Busan Buk-gap, Han faced off against political newcomer Ha Jung-woo, a former chief of AI at the Blue House, who ran as the Democratic Party candidate. During his final campaign rally, Ha stated, "Together with Jeon Jae-soo, I will lead the development of Busan. If the unbeatable fleet of Lee Jae-myung, Jeon Jae-soo, and Ha Jung-woo sets sail, Busan will grow beyond being Korea's second city to become the world's top maritime city."
Leading up to the election, polls indicated a tight race, prompting intense scrutiny from both parties. The Democratic Party leadership held its first on-site meeting in Pyeongtaek-eul on the last day of early voting, targeting Jo with last-minute efforts to sway voters. Jo Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, criticized Jo, stating, "A fake Democratic candidate is misleading people as if he were the real one. I urge you to vote for the real Democratic candidate, Kim Yong-nam."
As Han's support surged, both parties ramped up their attacks. Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party leader, appeared on a news program on May 28, describing Han's rise as a "kind of optical illusion" and calling for caution. Park Min-sik, another candidate, dismissed Han's support, claiming, "There is a tremendous bubble that I feel almost daily." He criticized Han, saying, "He will use Buk-gu as a disposable fire starter for his political ambitions, regardless of conservatism."
The implications of Han's victory and Jo's defeat are expected to shift the political landscape. Han has indicated plans to rejoin the People Power Party. In a press conference at his Busan campaign office on June 1, he stated, "I have lived a political life with waves, but I have never compromised my beliefs. I promised that I would return on the day I was unjustly expelled by the faction of Jang Dong-hyuk, and I will keep that promise."
Conversely, Jo's loss raises uncertainties about the Justice Party's position in the Assembly. Jo had previously indicated plans to initiate discussions about merging with the Democratic Party. However, the Democratic Party has distanced itself from any connection between Jo's election outcome and a potential merger. Hwang Myung-seon, a senior member of the Democratic Party, stated during a meeting of the headquarters team on May 30, "As a member of the Supreme Council, I want to make it clear that I am not considering a merger between the Democratic Party and the Justice Party after the election."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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