On the 26th, at the Pyeongtaek City Election Commission-hosted debate for the Pyeongtaek-eul constituency National Assembly by-election held at SK Broadband Ginam Broadcasting in Jukbaek-dong, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, candidates Hwang Kyo-ahn of Freedom and Innovation (from left), Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party, and Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea pose for a photo. The debate, recorded on this day, will be broadcast at 8 PM on the 27th. [Joint Coverage]

Candidates Kim Yong-nam, Yoo Eui-dong, Cho Kuk, and Hwang Kyo-ahn [Yonhap News]

The National Assembly by-election for the Pyeongtaek-eul constituency in Gyeonggi Province has gone beyond a simple local by-election.

With Cho Kuk, the leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, Kim Jae-yeon, the leader of the Progressive Party, and Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of Freedom and Innovation, all running simultaneously, Pyeongtaek-eul has become a miniature version of national politics where three party leaders clash. With the addition of Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea and Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party, the election landscape has been finalized as a five-way race.

The characteristics of this election are clear. It is a contest between political parties and simultaneously a verification of individual candidates. Pyeongtaek-eul is a strategic area where the US military base, semiconductor industry, Pyeongtaek Port, Godeok International New Town, and the western transportation network overlap.

However, as the election draws to a close, the issues are not solely focused on policy. As controversies surrounding each candidate simultaneously emerge, voters' questions are shifting from "Who will develop Pyeongtaek?" to "Who can explain their own controversies?"

Three Party Leaders Compete, Pyeongtaek-eul Becomes a National Political Stage

Cho Kuk's candidacy is directly linked to the political survival of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. If Cho Kuk is elected, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party can regain its presence in the National Assembly, but defeat could shake the party's very expansion capability.

Kim Jae-yeon, as the leader of the Progressive Party, is also using Pyeongtaek-eul as a testing ground for labor and livelihood politics.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, as the leader of Freedom and Innovation, has placed the agenda of election fraud and conservative legitimacy at the forefront.

Pyeongtaek-eul has become a compressed version of national politics in this election. In particular, the participation of three party leaders has amplified the symbolic significance of the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election, and the controversies and policy pledges of each candidate are being put to the test under national scrutiny.

Kim Yong-nam's Lending Business Suspicion, Cho Kuk's Pyeongtaek Sincerity Controversy

The core controversy raised against candidate Kim Yong-nam is the suspicion of 'operating a lending business under a borrowed name.'

There is suspicion that Kim indirectly operated a lending business through an agricultural corporation in which he holds shares, and Kim's side is refuting this by stating that there were no illegal activities.

The crux of this matter is not the existence of the lending business itself. It is about who the actual owner and operator were, whether the nominal representative and the actual operator were different, and whether profits were attributed to Kim.

Given that the Democratic Party has also mentioned the need for the candidate to provide an explanation, Kim is required to provide explanations based on documents and transaction flows, rather than political rebuttals.

The controversy surrounding Cho Kuk is of a different nature.

Cho is facing controversies related to his residential contract in Pyeongtaek, the "Pyeongtaek-gun" notation, and his statement during a debate that he could not commute to Pyeongtaek every day. Cho incorrectly wrote "Pyeongtaek-gun" and then corrected it, explaining it as a simple typo. However, the candidate's incorrect use of the local administrative name led to controversy regarding his understanding of Pyeongtaek.

The residential contract controversy also remains. Cho's side explained that they signed a one-year contract for an apartment in Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek, and have been residing there, but opposing candidates are questioning the disclosure of the contract and whether they are actually living there.

The scene where he was the only one to answer "X" to the question "Will you commute from Pyeongtaek every day if elected?" during a debate has also fueled controversy regarding his local ties. Cho is thus being called upon for a political explanation regarding his local representation rather than legal suspicions.

Yoo Eui-dong's Impeachment History, Hwang Kyo-ahn's Election Fraud Theory

Candidate Yoo Eui-dong's strength lies in being a Pyeongtaek native and his three terms in office. However, this strength is also subject to scrutiny. While the claim that he knows the region best is persuasive, it is also met with the counterargument: "What have you done during your three terms?"

Yoo has the responsibility to explain the achievements and unfinished tasks of his past parliamentary activities separately.

Yoo also faces an identity controversy within the conservative base.

His history of leaving the Saenuri Party during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye and participating in the founding of the Bareun Party is being brought up again. Recently, a video has been circulating online that allegedly shows Yoo responding affirmatively to supporting the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye.

With former President Park Geun-hye emerging as a variable for consolidating the conservative base in the final stages of the election, Yoo's actions during the impeachment period are once again under scrutiny among conservative voters.

Hwang Kyo-ahn's controversies involve the election fraud theory and his perception of martial law.

Hwang has presented the eradication of election fraud as a major reason for his candidacy in Pyeongtaek and has continued to advocate for it during debates. He has also shown a distinctly different stance from other candidates on issues such as the December 3rd emergency martial law and matters related to former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Hwang's candidacy is also intertwined with the issue of conservative unification with candidate Yoo Eui-dong.

Pledges Converge on KTX, Special Laws, and Industrial Strategy

In terms of policy, the candidates' pledges converge on three fronts. The first is KTX Gyeonggi Southern Station and the metropolitan transportation network. The second is a Pyeongtaek Support Special Act or a separate special zone law. The third is industrial strategies such as semiconductors, ports, defense, AI, and renewable energy.

KTX Gyeonggi Southern Station is essentially a common pledge.

Cho Kuk presented the establishment of KTX Gyeonggi Southern Station as his first pledge, and Hwang Kyo-ahn's plan for a security and economy special zone also includes KTX Gyeonggi Southern Station, the extension of the Sinansan Line to Anjung Station, and securing airport bus routes. Other candidates also present the expansion of the transportation network and improvement of accessibility as key tasks for Pyeongtaek's development.

There are also differences in the special law pledges. Cho Kuk's side is leaning towards strengthening the support system to be permanent or removing the sunset clause of the Pyeongtaek Support Special Act.

Hwang Kyo-ahn is advocating for a separate "Korea-US Global Security and Economy Special Zone" plan that combines the US military base, semiconductors, defense industry, and Pyeongtaek Port. This approach aims to link Pyeongtaek's security and industrial assets into a single growth axis.

Pyeongtaek is a region with three pillars: Samsung Electronics' semiconductor production base, Pyeongtaek Port, and the US Forces Korea base. This is why candidates are proposing AI centers, renewable energy, security and economy special zones, and regional development strategies.

However, for industrial pledges, the execution structure is more important than the name. Without mechanisms for attracting companies, power supply, land, permits, central government coordination, tax and regulatory incentives, and profit-sharing with residents, these pledges can remain mere campaign slogans.

At this point, candidates with diverse administrative experience are likely to have an advantage.

The Pyeongtaek Voters' Question is "Who Will Stay?"

The Pyeongtaek-eul by-election is an election with significant symbolic meaning for national politics. However, the questions from local voters are more practical.

"Who will win?" is less important than "Who will stay in Pyeongtaek?" The fact that three party leaders are running in this election is a factor for public interest, but it can also be a weakness in terms of local representation.

Candidate Kim Yong-nam must respond to the lending business suspicion with evidence.

Candidate Cho Kuk must respond to the controversy regarding his Pyeongtaek residency and local understanding with action.

Candidate Yoo Eui-dong must explain his achievements over three terms and his history during the impeachment period.

Candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn must demonstrate how his election fraud theory and security and economy special zone plan connect with Pyeongtaek's livelihood and industrial issues.

Candidate Kim Jae-yeon must substantiate her livelihood politics and labor/welfare agendas with concrete implementation plans for Pyeongtaek.

Ultimately, the Pyeongtaek by-election is a battle not of candidates' name recognition but of their verifiable capabilities. Controversies require explanations, and pledges require implementation pathways.

More important than how many party leaders are running is who will remain committed to Pyeongtaek's issues after the election.

The final judgment criterion for Pyeongtaek-eul voters lies precisely in that area.