With the results of the June 3 local elections and by-elections confirmed on June 4, potential presidential candidates are emerging. From the ruling party, Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Choo Mi-ae, the newly elected governor of Gyeonggi Province, are being mentioned as contenders. From the opposition, Oh Se-hoon, the newly elected mayor of Seoul, and Han Dong-hoon, the newly elected representative for Busan's Buk-gu, are also in the mix.
Jung demonstrated his leadership by guiding the Democratic Party to victory in the elections. Although the party lost the highly contested Seoul race, it secured 12 out of 16 metropolitan council seats and maintained nine seats in the by-elections.
Notably, Jung successfully defended Jeonbuk, a region previously considered a stronghold for the party. The Jeonbuk elections were marred by allegations of bribery against independent candidate Kim Kwan-young and controversies surrounding the election expenses of winner Lee Won-taek. Additionally, lawmaker Ahn Ho-young's hunger strike demanding a re-investigation into Lee's candidacy led to his hospitalization.
This situation sparked debates within the party regarding the expulsion of candidate Kim and the fairness of Lee's completion of the primary. Amidst a divided public sentiment in Jeonbuk, Jung frequently visited the area during his campaign to gauge voter opinions.
Choo made history by becoming the first female head of a metropolitan government. With her previous roles as chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, Democratic Party leader, and Minister of Justice, she has now added gubernatorial experience to her resume. If Choo can lead Gyeonggi Province effectively, it could significantly alter the landscape of presidential candidates.
Oh achieved a dramatic victory over Democratic candidate Jung Won-oh just 13 hours after the polls closed. His win not only marks him as the first five-term mayor of Seoul but also reinforces the pride of the conservative camp. As the only People Power Party mayor in the metropolitan area, Oh is expected to play a critical role in checking the administration of President Lee Jae-myung.
During the campaign, Oh criticized Jung, claiming he would become a puppet for President Lee at the National Assembly, urging voters to choose him for effective oversight. If he raises his voice as an opposition figure in the National Assembly, his presence will likely become more pronounced. The overlap of Oh's term as mayor with President Lee's term is also seen as a potential advantage.
Han has seized an opportunity for a reshaping of the conservative landscape. Political insiders suggest that if he successfully returns to the People Power Party, he could be a contender for the party leadership. Should support for current leader Jang Dong-hyuk wane, Han, who has had conflicts with him, may emerge as a viable alternative.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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