The Democratic Party of Korea said May 6 it has nominated Kim Eui-kyeom and Park Jie-won for the June 3 National Assembly by-elections in Gunsan-Gimje-Buan A and B in North Jeolla Province.
The party also confirmed Lim Moon-young, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, for Gwangju Gwangsan-eul; former Vice Oceans Minister Kim Seong-beom for Seogwipo on Jeju Island; and Park Hyeong-ryong, head of the party’s Dalseong County chapter, for Dalseong County in Daegu.
With those picks, all constituencies for the by-elections have candidates except Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province.
Senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon announced the slate at the National Assembly after a meeting of the party’s strategic nominations committee, saying the party would “do its best until the end” so the nominees can win voters’ support.
Kang described Kim as a Gunsan native who served as the first head of the Saemangeum Development Administration under the Lee Jae-myung government and as a candidate who best understands the Saemangeum project, a key local issue. He introduced Park, a lawyer, as “a son of North Jeolla” and “a son-in-law of Gimje,” saying Park has applied his expertise to regional development.
Kang said Lim was born and raised in Gwangju and has overseen AI policy under the Lee Jae-myung government. He said Kim Seong-beom was born in Seogwipo, attended school there through high school, and is a top expert in maritime and fisheries affairs after 30 years at the Oceans Ministry. He added that Park Hyeong-ryong has “quietly dedicated himself” in Daegu, which he called a particularly difficult political terrain, and said the party is confident Park can win support there.
For Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, the party said it needs more time after Park Jeong-hyeon, former Buyeo County governor, was unable to run. The National Election Commission issued an authoritative interpretation on May 4 saying Park could not be a candidate amid a dispute over the deadline for resigning from public office.
Cho Seung-rae said the party is considering both Won Seong-su, former president of Kongju National University, and a young legal professional for the seat.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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