For political heavyweights, April victory may open door to bigger things

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Published: 09 Apr. 2024, 18:24 Updated: 09 Apr. 2024, 18:25

For political heavyweights, April victory may open door to bigger things

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, left, and former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong. Lee and Won are running for Incheon's Gyeyang-B constituency in the April 10 general election. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Winning a parliamentary seat in the April 10 general election could mean more than merely securing a spot for their parties — it could be a springboard toward a presidential candidacy.

One district that could impact the country’s political landscape is Incheon’s Gyeyang-B constituency, where the incumbent candidate, Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung, is competing against former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong of the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

The winner of that race will likely become a potential contender for the presidency.

Another constituency for which political big shots are vying is the Bundang-A electoral district in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, where DP candidate Lee Kwang-jae and Ahn Cheol-soo of the PPP are competing.

An official from the DP said that the party's candidate — if he wins — could become the leader of the faction opposing the party's current chief. Lee, a former secretary-general of the National Assembly, was a close aide of the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

A victory by Ahn would naturally make him a potential party leader as a fourth-term lawmaker, a source from the PPP said.

Prominent politicians from rival parties face potentially tight races in multiple districts.

For the PPP, Na Kyung-won, who is running for her fifth term as a lawmaker, is competing with the DP’s Ryu Sam-young in southern Seoul’s Dongjak-B constituency.

A victory by Na, who is not a pro-Yoon figure, will likely make her a possible party leader.

Former Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, a PPP candidate for downtown Seoul’s Yongsan constituency running for his fifth term as a lawmaker, may assume a higher profile in the party if he wins, given that the presidential office is in his district.

PPP candidate Chung Jin-suk, who is seeking his sixth term in the parliament, is again competing against the DP’s Park Soo-hyun for South Chungcheong’s Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang constituency. Chung formerly served as the party’s interim leader and is competing with Park for the third time in a general election.

Former PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon is running for Ulsan’s Nam-B constituency. Another PPP candidate. Kwon Seong-dong, who served as a temporary party leader and floor leader, is bidding for a fifth-term win in Gangwon’s Gangneung.

The race in Incheon’s Dong and Michuhol-B constituency will likely be tight, too, with Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP trying for his fifth term against candidate Nam Young-hee.

Several DP heavyweights are vying for seats, too.

DP candidate Choo Mi-ae, who served as a five-term lawmaker representing eastern Seoul’s Gwangjin-B constituency, is trying for her sixth term against Lee Yong of the PPP, considered one of the key pro-Yoon figures, in Gyeonggi’s Hanam-A district. The DP has named Choo a potential candidate for the position of speaker of the National Assembly.

DP candidate Cho Jeong-sik, a key pro-Lee Jae-myung figure, will become a six-term lawmaker in Siheung, Gyeonggi, if he wins. Cho is also expected to be named a candidate for the National Assembly speaker position.

DP candidate Jung Chung-rae, competing against Ham Un-kyung of the PPP in western Seoul’s Mapo-B district, will maintain his reputation as a prominent pro-Lee figure if he wins his fourth term. Jung Sung-ho of the DP, known for being a close aide of the party leader, is going for his fifth term in Gyeonggi’s Dongducheon, Yangju, and Yeoncheon-A constituency.

DP candidate Park Jie-won, nominated for South Jeolla’s Haenam, Wando and Jindo constituency, and the party’s former floor leader Woo Won-shik, running for Seoul’s Nowon-B district, are also trying for their fifth term.

South Gyeongsang’s Yangsan-B district is also expected to be a tight race between prominent candidates.

The two candidates — Kim Du-kwan of the DP and Kim Tae-ho of the PPP — both served as South Gyeongsang governor and withdrew their candidacies during the 2021 presidential election.

BY SOHN GUK-HEE, PARK KUN, CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]