The Democratic Party of Korea and The Progressive Party agreed to unify their candidates for local elections in Ulsan and Busan. They decided to choose the much-watched Ulsan mayoral candidate and the Busan Yeonje District chief candidate through a primary based on a public opinion poll.
Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party of Korea secretary-general, and Shin Chang-hyeon, The Progressive Party secretary-general, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 15th and announced candidate unification for the Ulsan and Busan local elections. The two parties signed an agreement to unify candidates for ▲ Ulsan mayor ▲ Ulsan basic local government heads ▲ some Ulsan metropolitan council seats ▲ Busan Yeonje District chief.
According to the agreement, the Ulsan mayoral candidate will be chosen by a "100% public opinion poll" primary between Democratic Party of Korea candidate Kim Sang-uk and The Progressive Party candidate Kim Jong-hun. The Busan Yeonje District chief, Ulsan Nam District chief, and Ulju County chief will also be determined the same way. The two parties also agreed to hold primaries between their candidates for unified Ulsan metropolitan council nominations.
Some constituencies settled on a unified candidate without a primary. The Ulsan Dong District chief will be The Progressive Party's Park Moon-ok; the Ulsan Buk District chief will be the Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Dong-gwon; and the Ulsan Jung District chief will be the Democratic Party of Korea's Park Tae-wan.
The two parties plan to complete the unification process by the 21st, the day before the official campaign begins. There was no announcement on unifying candidates for the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election for National Assembly member, where both parties have candidates.
Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party of Korea secretary-general, said, "We agreed to unify to raise even a 1% chance of victory so that the heart of the industrial capital of the Republic of Korea can beat again," and added, "The comrades of the revolution of light who overcame the rebellion together have now clasped hands firmly to judge the incompetent local authorities."
Shin Chang-hyeon, The Progressive Party secretary-general, said, "We decided to join forces to completely liquidate the vested-interest politics that have monopolized Yeongnam politics and the rebellious forces that betrayed the public will," and added, "We will not forget the dedication and sacrifice of the Democratic Party of Korea and The Progressive Party candidates who made a decision for the greater good."