Park Deok-heum, Chairman of the Nomination Review Committee of the People Power Party, enters the briefing session for the announcement of the Daegu mayoral candidate for the June 3 local elections, held at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 26th. The committee confirmed Rep. Choo Kyung-ho as the candidate for Daegu mayor, singly nominated Yoo Ui-dong, former lawmaker, for the by-election in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, and decided to receive additional applications for the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election. [Yonhap News] 

The Nomination Review Committee of the People Power Party announced that a total of 25 individuals have submitted applications by 6 p.m. on the 30th for the candidate recruitment for the nine re-election and by-election constituencies to be held concurrently with the June 3 local elections.

The number of applicants has drawn attention, with a significant number flocking to areas with conservative support, including Chungnam and Ulsan, as well as Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, which was the constituency of former Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae.

In Dalseong-gun, Daegu, where a by-election will be held due to the resignation of Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho from his parliamentary seat, two individuals challenged: Lee Jin-sook, former Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, who was cut off (disqualified from nomination) in the Daegu mayoral primary, and Uhm Ki-yeon, Chairperson of the Women's Committee for Seongdong-eul, Seoul, People Power Party.

In Busan Buk-gap, the constituency of former party leader Han Dong-hoon, who declared an independent run after being expelled from the party, two individuals applied for nomination: Park Min-sik, former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and Lee Young-pung, former KBS reporter.

In Ulsan Nam-gap, a stronghold of conservatism, four individuals submitted applications: Kim Tae-gyu, Ulsan Nam-gap Party Chapter Chairman and former Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission; Lee Jeong-hoon, Ulsan Nam-gu Councilor; Kim Jun-gyo, former candidate for Supreme Council Member of the Liberty Korea Party; and Choi Geon, attorney.

Seven people applied for Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang. Among them are Jeong Jin-suk, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly who served five terms in this region and as Chief of Staff to President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration; Yoon Yong-geun, Party Chapter Chairman for Seongnam Jungwon-gu, Gyeonggi Province, appointed as party media spokesperson under Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk; Kim Hyeok-jong, former Chief Secretary to the Governor of Chungnam Province; So Jeong-im, Vice Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the People Power Party; Oh Byeong-ju, former Vice Minister of the Prime Minister's Office; Yoon Min-a, former administrative officer at the Prime Minister's Office; and Lee Chul-hee, former Chairman of the National Council for Democracy and Peace in Gongju City.

A total of six applications were received for Hanam-gap, Gyeonggi Province. Among them were Lee Yong, former lawmaker who competed against Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae in the last general election for this constituency; Kim Ki-yoon, Vice Chairman of the People Power Party's Legal Advisory Committee; Kim Hwang-sik, former lawmaker; Yoo Seong-geun, former lawmaker; Jeong Dong-hee, writer; and one candidate who did not disclose their name.

In Incheon Yeon-su-gap, two individuals applied for nomination, including Jeong Seung-yeon, Incheon Yeon-su-gap Party Chapter Chairman.

In Jeju Seogwipo, Ko Ki-cheol, Chairman of the Jeju Provincial Party, and in Gwangju Gwangsan-eul, Ahn Tae-wook, former Chairman of the Gwangju City Party, registered as sole candidates respectively.

For Incheon Gyeyang-eul, no additional applicants have come forward since one person applied privately on the 28th.

Regarding the additional recruitment for Siheung mayoral candidate, Lee Min-sung, the party's media spokesperson, applied but withdrew their application. There were no applicants for the additional recruitment for Jeonju mayoral candidate in Jeonbuk.

Within and outside the party, there are opinions that the nomination of influential figures and 'strategic nominations' are necessary to counter the ruling party candidates.

While there is talk of recruiting former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min for Hanam-gap, Gyeonggi Province, it is understood that there have been no contacts from the party leadership, leading to speculation that Yoo's chances of running are slim.

Rep. Lee Seong-kwon, coordinator of the intra-party reform-oriented group 'Alternatives and Future,' appeared on MBC TV and stated, "There is no candidate as appealing to the center and rational conservatives as former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min." He added, "The Yoo Seong-min card is worth utilizing, so the party leadership should consider and revive it even now."

Rep. Lee commented, "When I brought up the matter of nominating former lawmaker Yoo to the party's floor leadership yesterday, it seems it has not been reviewed so far. We cannot become a party that abandons the 수도권 (Seoul Metropolitan Area), the 'Su-po-dang' (a derogatory term implying abandonment of the Seoul Metropolitan Area). A party that remains complacent in Daegu/Gyeongbuk and Busan/Gyeongnam will lose its possibility of governing in the future."

Amidst this, Hwang Woo-yea, former leader of the Saenuri Party, whose name has been mentioned for a potential nomination in Incheon Yeon-su-gap, also stated to Yonhap News that he has "no intention to run."

Kim Min-soo, a supreme council member and part of the party leadership faction close to Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Dalseong-gun, Daegu, and Busan Buk-gap, declared his non-candidacy through a Facebook post on the day, stating, "I will fulfill my duties at my current position."

The Nomination Review Committee will begin interviews for by-election candidates on the 1st of next month. They plan to decide on constituencies for primaries and single nominations by the 2nd of the same month, hold primaries on the 3rd-4th, and finalize the candidates on the 5th.