The People Power Party has decided not to nominate a candidate for the Guro District Office mayoral election in the upcoming Apr. 2 by-election. This decision comes as the party's mayor had to resign mid-term, reflecting concerns over public criticism. In contrast, the party will put forward a candidate for the Geoje mayoral re-election, as Geoje has been a stronghold for the conservative camp, with the People Power Party's candidates winning there except in the 2018 local elections.
The People Power Party's Seoul Metropolitan City nomination committee stated on the 14th, “We will engage in responsible politics regarding the causes of the former Guro District Office mayor’s resignation due to the by-election.” Previously, Mun Heon-il, the former Guro District Office mayor affiliated with the People Power Party, resigned last year in protest against a court ruling that he must blind trust shares worth 17 billion won in a company he established.
Mun, who operated 'Mun Engineering,' rejected the sale of shares or the blind trust and filed an administrative lawsuit. After losing in both the first and second trials, he resigned from the mayoralty in October last year, two years after taking office in July 2022.
Within the party, there were calls for accountability regarding his resignation during his term to protect his assets. At the time, party leader Han Dong-hoon also commented on the situation involving the former mayor, stating, “There should be no one in the People Power Party who treats public office as a side job,” and added, “We will consider (the nomination).”
Guro District is a stronghold of the progressive camp even in Seoul. Both incumbent National Assembly members for the district, Lee In-young (Guro-gap) and Yoon Geon-young (Guro-eul), belong to the Democratic Party. All mayors in the district, except for the 3rd, 4th, and 8th elected terms, were candidates from the Democratic Party. It seems to be a judgment that the chances of winning are low when a 'responsible party for electoral failure' nominates a candidate in a challenging area.
Kim Il-ho, chair of the Seoul Metropolitan City public nomination committee, stated, “We made this decision after listening to public sentiment and gathering opinions from party members,” adding, “We will strive harder for the development of Seoul together with party members and citizens.”
The Democratic Party has confirmed former Seoul City Council member Jang In-hong as its candidate for the Guro District Office mayoral election. The party also nominated former Geoje mayor Byeon Kwang-yong as its candidate for the Geoje mayoral re-election. This area will hold elections following the sentencing of former mayor Park Jong-woo of the People Power Party, who was sentenced to prison for illegal bribery. The People Power Party plans to finalize its nominee through a primary among six preliminary candidates.