In the Busan Buk-gu Gap by-election, the conservative field is split between Park Min-sik of the People Power Party and independent Han Dong-hoon. Some say conservatives must unify behind a single candidate to decisively defeat Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea, but so far Park and Han have not yielded an inch to each other. In political circles, people say the two are locked in a power struggle to each stake out a position as the "standard-bearer of conservatives."
Park Min-sik and Han Dong-hoon also plan to hold their campaign office openings on the same day at the same time. At 2 p.m. on the 10th, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok is scheduled to attend Park's campaign office opening. Earlier, Jang said he would sanction any acts in support of Han, who is running as an independent. A People Power Party official said, "Because the Democratic Party of Korea's Ha Jung-woo, a former senior presidential secretary under Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House, is running in Busan Buk-gu Gap, Jang intends to show active, on-site support for Park, who received the party's nomination."
Former lawmaker Chung Hyung-geun, who is serving as chair of the supporters' association, is expected to attend the opening of Han Dong-hoon's campaign office. Chung, who won three terms in Busan Buk–Gangseo Gap, is regarded as an elder statesman in the city's political scene. A political source said, "Chung still has considerable influence in Busan Buk-gu Gap," adding, "It will be a boost to Han, who presents himself as the standard-bearer of conservatives."
Also expected to attend Han's campaign office opening are former lawmaker Seo Byung-soo, who served as the party chapter head for Busan Buk Gap, and some lawmakers from the pro-Han camp. People Power Party lawmaker Han Ji-a said on CPBC Radio, "I'll be in Busan Buk Gap over the weekend," adding, "I probably won't be able to go to both, and I think I'll end up going to the former leader Han's opening."
Meanwhile, some interpret the war of nerves between Han Dong-hoon and Park Min-sik as each trying to seize the initiative first with an eye toward a potential single-candidate deal. Recent polling suggests the outcome of the Busan Buk-gu Gap by-election could change depending on whether conservatives unify behind one candidate.
A People Power Party official said, "Whichever side loses the power struggle will have no choice but to capitulate when it comes to unification talks," adding, "Both Han and Park are fighting with the mindset that it's over if they fall behind."