As former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon prepares to run in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, senior People Power Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup proposed "no nomination in Busan Buk-gap." He argued the party should bolster the former leader to retake the district of Chun Jae-soo, who is running as the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor.
On the 14th, Kim held a news conference at the National Assembly press room and said, "If we field a candidate, it creates a structure in which the Democratic Party can easily win," adding, "Rather than letting the Democratic Party win, we proposed that we refrain from fielding a candidate and let the former leader Han enter the race."
Kim pointed out, "Anyone can foresee difficulties, but if we insist on nominating no matter what, who will take responsibility for the election results, and how?"
On the option of first fielding a People Power Party candidate and then unifying with the former leader Han, he said, "If our party's candidate unifies, that is a good approach and it is not ruled out. There are various ways," but added, "The issue is that with a three-way race all but certain, what the party leadership must do is either persuade the former leader Han to create a two-way race with the Democratic Party, or, if not, we must go with no nomination."
The People Power Party leadership says no nomination in Busan Buk-gap is not possible. After a floor strategy meeting that day, senior floor spokesperson Choi Su-jin told reporters, "If the Busan Buk-gap seat becomes vacant, the People Power Party will field a candidate. We are not considering no nomination at all."
Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI Future Planning, who is being mentioned as a potential Democratic Party candidate for Busan Buk-gap, appeared on SBS Radio that day and said, "Depending on the president's decision, I may continue working (at the presidential office). A staff member does not have decision-making authority," adding, "I will decide through a judgment of what best serves the national interest."