The field for the parliamentary by-elections and special elections held simultaneously with the June 3 local elections is expanding. As the number of districts holding by-elections grows and the likelihood increases that party leaders and presidential contenders will step in, some are calling it a "mini general election."
According to the political sphere on the 21st, the districts where by-elections have been confirmed are Incheon Gyeyang B, South Chungcheong Asan B, Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek B, and North Jeolla Gunsan–Gimje–Buan A, four places. Incheon Gyeyang B and South Chungcheong Asan B are the districts of President Lee Jae-myung and Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, and Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek B and North Jeolla Gunsan–Gimje–Buan A are the districts of former Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Byung-jin and Shin Young-dae, who received rulings nullifying their elections.
The fiercest battleground in the by-elections is Incheon Gyeyang B. Because it was President Lee's district, Song Young-gil, former Democratic Party of Korea leader, and Kim Nam-joon, presidential office Spokesperson, are being mentioned as potential candidates for the Democratic Party. Song yielded the district to President Lee after Lee lost the 2022 presidential election, and Kim, part of the so-called "Seongnam line," is considered a close aide to the president. From the People Power Party, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong is among those cited as a rival.
Regarding Cho Kuk, Rebuilding Korea Party leader seeking a seat in the Assembly, there is speculation that he could run in Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek B or North Jeolla Gunsan–Gimje–Buan A. Han Dong-hoon, the former People Power Party leader who was expelled from the party, is seen as highly likely to run as an independent in Daegu or Busan. However, considering that a loss could deal a major political blow, Han is taking a cautious stance.
For Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek B, the chances are also being assessed that Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Democratic Research Institute and a close aide to President Lee, will run. However, Kim received guilty verdicts in the first and second trials on charges of receiving illegal political funds and is currently out on bail. From the People Power Party, Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja, a former Samsung Electronics executive, is considering a run. The Reform Party is also seen as likely to seek a seat in Pyeongtaek B.
If incumbent lawmakers run in metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races, the number of by-election districts will increase to as many as 14 to 15. For the Seoul mayoral race, incumbent lawmakers such as Na Kyung-won (Seoul Dongjak B) and Shin Dong-wook (Seoul Seocho B) from the People Power Party are considered part of the candidate pool. Interest is also growing in Incheon Yeonsu A, the district of Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae, regarded as a strong Incheon mayoral contender. In addition, incumbent lawmakers are expected to advance to the main races in Gyeonggi, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Busan, Ulsan, North Gyeongsang, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, and North Jeolla.
A political source said, "As this is an opportunity for the two major parties to secure even a few more seats, they will pour as much effort into the by-elections as into metropolitan-level races," adding, "With many heavyweight contenders being mentioned, we expect strong public interest."