On the afternoon of the 11th, starting from 1 PM, the 'Korea-US Alliance and Free Democracy Defense Rally', the first assembly led by Jeon Han-gil, was held in front of the Anjeong-ri Gate of the Pyeongtaek US military base (Camp Humphreys). [Photo=Hwang Kyo-ahn Facebook] 

Jeon Yu-gwan, who is active as 'history instructor Jeon Han-gil', is considering running as an independent candidate in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul National Assembly by-election. 

Those around him say this should not be viewed as a mere rumor of candidacy. 

Gyeyang-eul was President Lee Jae-myung's constituency during his time as a National Assembly member, and this by-election is being held due to President Lee's presidential candidacy and election. 

If Jeon actually runs, this election could expand beyond a constituency competition between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party to become a national political stage, encompassing criticism of President Lee Jae-myung, raising issues with the electoral system, realigning conservative votes, and even involving the standing of parties in election litigation.

According to a phone call with lawyer Lee Seong-jik, who is in charge of Jeon's public relations, on the 4th by the Hankook Ilbo, Jeon's side believes a decision on whether to run in Gyeyang-eul must be made this week. Lawyer Lee Seong-jik stated, "If running as an independent, the required documents are more numerous than anticipated," adding, "We must decide this week to complete the candidate registration process." 

Lawyer Lee also mentioned, "The consideration for candidacy began last week due to recommendations from those around me, and an announcement of his position is scheduled for this Friday."

Currently, the basic framework of the Gyeyang-eul by-election is a head-to-head match between Kim Nam-jun, former spokesperson for the Blue House from the Democratic Party, and Shim Wang-seop, chairman of the Environment and Landscape Development Foundation from the People Power Party. 

The Democratic Party strategically nominated former spokesperson Kim Nam-jun as their candidate for Gyeyang-eul on the 23rd of last month. The People Power Party has single-nominated Shim Wang-seop, chairman of the Environment and Landscape Development Foundation, for Incheon Gyeyang-eul. 

The primary reason Jeon is considering Gyeyang-eul is the region's symbolic significance. 

Gyeyang-eul is not just any constituency in Incheon. If Jeon runs in this district, the election will transcend a regional competition between former spokesperson Kim Nam-jun and chairman Shim Wang-seop, taking on the nature of a symbolic challenge against President Lee Jae-myung's political base.

Former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook also pointed this out. 

Regarding Jeon's potential candidacy, former Assembly member Min said, "I understand he has had many considerations." He explained the significance of Jeon's candidacy by stating, "The candidacy itself has the effect of announcing fraudulent elections, and if elected, he can continue the struggle within the institutional framework," adding, "If he loses, he can assume the status of a party to election litigation." 

Former Assembly member Min also shared, "The fact that it was President Lee Jae-myung's former constituency would have also been considered as a good area to criticize President Lee."

At this point, the significance of Jeon's candidacy consideration goes beyond a simple calculation of votes. 

The act of running itself can bring electoral system issues to the forefront of the election campaign, and if elected, the raising of issues outside the institutional framework related to fraudulent elections can be converted into a struggle within the institutional framework of the National Assembly. Even if he loses, he will have a legal channel to contest election procedures and results in his capacity as a candidate. 

This is why Jeon's consideration of running in Gyeyang-eul cannot be explained solely by "possibility of winning."

However, legally, one does not have to lose to become a party to election litigation. Article 222 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that in presidential and National Assembly elections, any elector, political party that recommended a candidate, or candidate who disputes the validity of an election may file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court within 30 days from the election date, naming the election commission chairman of the relevant constituency as the defendant. 

Article 223 also allows any political party that recommended a candidate or candidate who disputes the validity of election results in presidential and National Assembly elections to file an election lawsuit with the Supreme Court within 30 days from the date the winner is determined. 

Therefore, candidate registration itself is the starting point for securing the standing to contest election procedures and results. Of course, the ability of a candidate to file an election lawsuit and the recognition of election invalidity are separate matters. 

The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that for election invalidity grounds to be recognized in election litigation, there must be a violation of election regulations, and that violation must be acknowledged as having affected the election results. 

The legal significance of Jeon's candidacy is not in prejudging the success or failure of election litigation, but in securing the standing to directly monitor election procedures and raise issues retrospectively in his capacity as a candidate. 

The possibility of unification with the People Power Party candidate is also a variable. 

If Jeon runs as an independent, conservative votes could be split between the official People Power Party candidate, Chairman Shim Wang-seop, and Jeon. 

Given that Gyeyang-eul is classified as a region with a strong Democratic Party presence, there is a possibility that demands for unification will arise within the conservative camp towards the end of the election. 

In such a case, discussions on unification could escalate beyond a simple candidate adjustment issue to a power struggle between the People Power Party's official nomination and external conservative public opinion. 

Ultimately, Jeon Yu-gwan's consideration of running in Gyeyang-eul holds four meanings. 

First, he can deliver a message of criticism against the administration in President Lee Jae-myung's former constituency. 

Second, he can bring electoral system issues to the forefront of the election campaign. 

Third, if elected, he can convert the raising of issues outside the institutional framework into a struggle within the institutional framework. 

Fourth, if candidate registration occurs, he can secure the legal standing to contest election results and procedures. 

Therefore, whether or not to run in Gyeyang-eul goes beyond Jeon's personal choice. 

If the candidacy becomes a reality, the Gyeyang-eul by-election will break away from the two-way structure of the Democratic Party versus the People Power Party and become an election where President Lee Jae-myung's political symbolism, the competition for representation within the conservative camp, the debate over the electoral system, and the possibility of candidate unification collide all at once. 

'History instructor Jeon Han-gil' Jeon Yu-gwan's reason for considering Gyeyang-eul lies precisely here.