The Democratic Party of Korea officially launched the local election planning team (Director General Cho Sung-rae) 10 months ahead of the local elections on June 3, 2026. Unlike the People Power Party, which is in disarray over its direction for internal reform following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and loss in the presidential election, the Democratic Party is proactively reorganizing itself to establish an early 'strategic advantage.' In particular, the competition among Democratic Party members aiming for major metropolitan positions, such as the mayorship of Seoul and the governorship of Gyeonggi Province, is already heating up.
At the first meeting of the local election planning team held in the conference room of the National Assembly main building on the afternoon of the 26th, discussions focused on innovative nominations and expanding participation of youth, women, and people with disabilities.
Director General Cho Sung-rae noted in his opening remarks, 'There are 281 days left until the local elections,' adding, 'According to party rules, the planning team should have been organized a year in advance, but it was delayed due to the presidential election and the party convention. It wasn't made quickly but rather was late.' He emphasized, 'We will establish a nomination system that the public can accept,' stating that 'more opportunities will be created for youth, women, and candidates with disabilities to be selected.'
The meeting was attended by commissioners of the planning team, including Lee Hae-sik, Lee Soo-jin, Moon Jeong-bok, Choi Gi-sang, Yoon Jun-byung, Park Sang-hyuk, and Jang Kyung-tae. They proposed ▲ actualization of mandatory nominations for women (10% for metropolitan heads, 20% for district heads, and 30% for local assembly members) ▲ introduction of a mandatory allocation system and affirmative action for candidates with disabilities ▲ increasing the nomination ratio for small business owners and self-employed individuals ▲ strengthening policy-centered elections. The planning team is divided into three subcommittees: nomination system, election strategy, and policy planning, with Jang Kyung-tae, Lee Hae-sik, and Choi Gi-sang serving as chairs, and spokesperson duties handled by Park Sang-hyuk.
Along with the launch of the planning team, the Democratic Party is also ramping up efforts to recruit talent for the local elections. Representative Jeong Cheong-rae is personally leading the recruitment of outside personnel as the head of the talent recruitment committee. Since shortly after his election as party leader, Representative Jeong has emphasized, 'All party activities will focus on winning the local elections,' clearly stating his intention to make next year's local election a turning point for stabilizing the administration.
The Democratic Party's launch of the planning team ahead of the election is seen as a strategic move to connect the 'momentum of victory in the presidential election' to the local elections. In a situation where the People Power Party shows signs of division due to the aftermath of impeachment and internal power reshuffling, the aim is to proactively mobilize election planning organizations and talent recruitment to secure an advantageous position.
Competition within the ruling party ahead of the local elections has already intensified. Potential candidates for the Seoul mayor include Rep. Park Hong-geun (fourth term), Reps. Jeon Hyun-hee and Park Joo-min (third term), and former floor leader Hong Ik-pyo, who is outside the assembly. As for candidates for the Gyeonggi Province governor, names mentioned include Reps. Choo Mi-ae and Jo Jung-sik (sixth term), Reps. Kim Byeong-joo, Kim Yong-min, and Kang Deok-gu (second term), and Rep. Yeom Tae-young (first term, former mayor of Suwon).
A party official noted, 'The Gyeonggi Province governor primary will be fiercely competitive, as there is a strong belief that winning the Democratic Party primary will lead to victory in the general election,' adding, 'In contrast, in Seoul, the current mayor Oh Se-hoon's incumbency presents a strong advantage, so the possibility of a strategic nomination cannot be ruled out.'
In contrast, the People Power Party, which formed a new leadership two months after its presidential election loss, is only now starting to prepare for the local elections. New representative Jang Dong-hyuk stated on this day, 'We will ensure that fair nominations based on principles and standards can be carried out,' promising to launch the local election preparation planning team as soon as possible. He mentioned, 'If we do not properly compete against the Democratic Party in the central region, the battles in the strongholds of Gangwon Province and Busan will also become difficult,' adding, 'We will create a system that allows capable individuals to be nominated as quickly as possible.'
Although Representative Jang emphasized 'fair nominations,' there are concerns that factional conflicts may resurface amid ongoing internal discord over reform paths. There are also worries that the party may lag behind the Democratic Party in the speed of local election preparations and talent recruitment.