Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, completed their candidate registrations on the 14th.
Chong said in a statement that day, "The owners of Seoul are not the mayor but you, the citizens," adding, "In the name of Seoul's citizens, I will win without fail."
Before registering, Oh held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall and said, "Seoul has always been the 'compass of public sentiment' that determines Korea's direction," adding, "It is important for you, the citizens, to choose whether to stop or complete the change that began in Seoul."
On June 3, the 9th nationwide local elections' National Assembly by-elections, in Busan and Daegu—considered key battlegrounds—also began candidate registration.
Chun Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor, said, "I will create a sea of opportunity, a Busan of youth and the sea, not the elderly and the sea," adding, "I will complete maritime capital Busan so that Buan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam becomes Korea's new growth engine."
Park Heong-joon, the People Power Party candidate for Busan mayor, said, "With conservative unity, we will hold the Nakdong River line, stop the rampage of the Lee Jae-myung administration, and surely elevate Busan to the ranks of global cities."
Busan Buk-gu Gap, where a three-way race among Ha Jung-woo, Park Min-sik, and Han Dong-hoon is unfolding, also began candidate registration.
Ha Jung-woo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, said, "I will make Buk-gu the 'No. 1 district for AI (artificial intelligence) in Korea,'" adding, "I will build the No. 1 district for AI education and create an AI eldercare city where the city itself provides care, and I will revitalize the local economy through the Buk-gu commercial district innovation project."
Park Min-sik, the People Power Party candidate, said, "I will surely realize the vision of a 'Buk-gu renaissance' by solving various issues such as transportation, education, and urban regeneration," adding, "As someone who truly knows Buk-gu—a true Buk-gu person and son of Buk-gu—Park Min-sik will surely win, protect Buk-gu's pride, and lead uninterrupted development."
Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon is scheduled to register on the 15th.
Daegu, the heart of conservatives, is also cited as the biggest battleground, where a former prime minister and a former deputy prime minister for the economy face off. Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Daegu mayor, and Choo Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for Daegu mayor, both completed their registrations on the 14th.
Choo said, "Choo Kyung-ho, the top economic expert and former deputy prime minister for the economy verified by Korea, begins a grand march to revive Daegu's economy today," adding, "With an overwhelming victory, I will make Daegu vibrant, brimming with money and people."
Kim said, "Standing before Daegu citizens for the first time in a while, I feel very nervous and excited," adding, "Hearing the urgent voices of citizens I met on the streets—'Are we going to leave Daegu as it is? Shouldn't we save Daegu?'—I feel a strong sense of responsibility to respond firmly."
In Incheon, Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Incheon mayor, completed registration on the morning of the 14th. Yoo Jeong-bok, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon mayor, plans to hold a press conference at 1 p.m., followed by registration at 1:40 p.m.