In Busan Buk-gap and Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul, key battlegrounds in the June 3 parliamentary by-elections, voting is taking place on the 3rd without a unified single candidate. Depending on the results in the two districts, the political fortunes of so-called "potential presidential contenders," including independent candidate Han Dong-hoon (Busan Buk-gap) and Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Cho Kuk (Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul), will also be decided.
In Busan Buk-gap, an "ultra-close three-way race" unfolded among Han Dong-hoon, Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Min-sik of the People Power Party. In the conservative camp, the need for a unified single candidate between Han Dong-hoon and Park Min-sik had been raised to block Ha Jung-woo. But Park Min-sik shaved his head early on and declared, "There is zero possibility of unification," and Han Dong-hoon also chose an independent course in the final stretch of the race.
On election day, the two candidates took to social media to urge people to vote. Han wrote on Facebook, "Please make sure to vote now. A breeze alone cannot change things. Voting can change them." Park also posted a message urging voting, saying, "Every single vote is critical right now," and "Give the son of Buk-gu one last chance."
In Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul, both the progressive camp and the conservative camp needed a unified single candidate, but neither side succeeded. In the progressive camp, Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam and Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Cho Kuk were the subjects of unification talks, but the rift between the two parties only deepened. The Rebuilding Korea Party focused its attacks on Kim Yong-nam over the "allegation of operating a lending company under a borrowed name," while the Democratic Party countered by labeling Cho as a "fake Democratic Party candidate."
In the conservative camp, unification between Yoo Ui-dong of the People Power Party and Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Freedom and Innovation party ultimately did not happen. At a news conference the previous day, Yoo said, "There is still hope for unification," leaving the door open, but he and Hwang, who had set conditions including "acknowledging election fraud" and "repenting for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye," failed to reach a unification deal.
Han Dong-hoon and Cho Kuk are seeking political comebacks through the by-elections taking place today. Han was expelled over the so-called "party members' message board incident" during a line struggle with the ruling faction of the People Power Party. If he enters the National Assembly without unifying with the People Power Party candidate, observers say he could not only vie for the party leadership but also quickly rise to the level of a presidential contender.
Cho received a finalized two-year prison sentence from the Supreme Court on charges including college admissions corruption involving his children and stifling a presidential office inspection, but after an Aug. 15 Liberation Day special pardon last year, he was released early and is seeking to enter the legislature. If he fails to enter the legislature in this election, not only will his personal political standing diminish, but the future of the Rebuilding Korea Party could also darken.