The Democratic Party said it will make strategic nominations in Incheon for the by-elections being held alongside the June 3 local elections, naming Song Young-gil for Yeonsu A and Kim Nam-jun for Gyeyang B.
The party’s Strategic Nomination Management Committee made the decision at a meeting held Thursday afternoon at the National Assembly.
Senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon told reporters after the meeting, “The committee decided to strategically nominate former party leader Song Young-gil in Incheon’s Yeonsu A and former presidential office spokesperson Kim Nam-jun in Gyeyang B.”
Kang underscored the importance of Yeonsu A, calling it “a difficult district for our party and a core strategic area we must defend.” He said Song was placed there strategically, citing his political weight as “a valuable asset” who has served as a five-term lawmaker, Incheon mayor and party leader.
Kang added that Song “had to endure an unjust sacrifice due to excessive targeted investigations by the Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution government,” but left the party temporarily, proved his innocence and returned. “We judged him to be the most competitive candidate in Yeonsu A,” Kang said.
On Kim, Kang said he “deeply understands President Lee Jae-myung’s governing philosophy,” and has strong knowledge of the district after assisting Lee since Lee’s time as a lawmaker for Gyeyang B. Kang also cited Kim’s communication skills as a former journalist and spokesperson.
Kang said Kim is a candidate who can “accurately grasp the president’s intentions” and address local issues quickly, calling him the right person to help the district move forward and to advance the party’s goals of winning the local elections and ensuring the success of the Lee Jae-myung government.
The party also explained why it did not select former Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun, who had sought the Yeonsu A nomination.
Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae said Park is “a valuable asset” and “a regrettable loss” from the party’s perspective, but said that after considering the overall situation, the party concluded Song was the more appropriate choice.
Cho said the committee plans to meet nearly every day to wrap up strategic nominations quickly. “We have to finish by the first week of May,” he said, adding that the party will narrow down the remaining districts through frequent meetings.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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