Choo Kyung-ho and Yoo Young-ha [Photo by Kim Hyun-tae]

Following Assemblyman Joo Ho-young, former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-suk announced on the 25th that she would not run for Daegu mayor, bringing an end to the conflict surrounding the People Power Party's nomination for the Daegu mayoral election.

Once the final candidate is decided in the ongoing People Power Party's Daegu mayoral primary and announced on the 26th, the uncertainty within the People Power Party regarding the Daegu mayoral election, which has persisted due to nomination conflicts, is expected to subside.

The People Power Party's nomination conflict for Daegu mayor intensified on the 22nd of last month when the party's nomination screening committee cut off (excluded from nomination) Assemblyman Joo and former Chairperson Lee, who were strong contenders for Daegu mayor.

Coupled with the already drawn-out primary process due to a flood of candidates, including four incumbent assembly members participating in the preliminary round, the Daegu mayoral election plunged into chaos when Assemblyman Joo and former Chairperson Lee opposed the cut-off, hinting at the possibility of running as independents.

Meanwhile, on the 30th of last month, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum emerged as the Democratic Party's candidate for Daegu mayor. Backed by the party's full support, he has become a formidable competitor, threatening the conservative stronghold by targeting voters.

Assemblyman Joo and former Chairperson Lee demanded that the party conduct a primary that included them. When this was not accepted, they pressured the party by hinting at running as independents.

Assemblyman Joo did not waver in his intention to run for Daegu mayor, filing an application for an injunction to suspend the effect of the cut-off with the court. Former Chairperson Lee wore a white band symbolizing an independent candidacy and conducted her own election campaign, fueling continuous concern about the division of conservative votes in Daegu, the People Power Party's "stronghold."

Even as Democratic Party's former Prime Minister Kim heated up the atmosphere of the Daegu mayoral election, the People Power Party was unable to present a candidate to counter him, appearing to lose momentum with just over a month left until the local elections.

Assemblyman Joo Ho-young (left) and former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-suk [Photo by Bae Jae-man and Kim Hyun-tae]

Ultimately, Assemblyman Joo withdrew his intention to run for Daegu mayor on the 23rd of last month, the day after his appeal for an injunction regarding the cut-off was dismissed. He stated, "I determined that the longer the debate over my candidacy continues, the more it could complicate, rather than help, the election."

Former Chairperson Lee, while pointing out the unfairness of the cut-off, also decided not to run for Daegu mayor, saying, "Once the People Power Party's Daegu mayoral candidate is selected, I will support them to defeat the Democratic Party's candidate. I will protect Daegu from the wicked Democratic Party regime."

There is a possibility that former Chairperson Lee could be nominated for the by-elections in the constituencies of People Power Party Daegu mayoral primary candidates Choo Kyung-ho (Dalseong County) and Yoo Young-ha (Dalseo-gu A), but she evaded direct answers when reporters asked about her intention to run.

On this day, Assemblymen Choo and Yoo expressed their respect for former Chairperson Lee's decision and responded, "We will answer with victory in the election."

Assemblyman Choo issued a statement immediately after former Chairperson Lee's withdrawal announcement, stating, "(This election) is an election to revive Daegu's stagnant economy and set right faltering democracy. We will respond with an overwhelming victory for Daegu and a dignified reconstruction of conservatism."

Assemblyman Yoo also stated through a press release, "Now is the time for us to put aside the time of conflict and competition and unite our strength. We will move towards integration beyond conflict. We will surely win with unified strength, not division."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to finalize the candidate through a vote by responsible party members (50%) and a public opinion survey of general citizens (50%) between Assemblymen Choo and Yoo until the last day of the Daegu mayoral primary, and will announce the result on the 26th.

Following this, a full-fledged battle will unfold between the People Power Party's final candidate and former Prime Minister Kim of the Democratic Party for the position of Daegu mayor.