Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon revealed on the 13th that he had secured a home in Buk-gu, Busan. Buk-gu, Busan is the National Assembly electoral district expected to become vacant as Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeon Jae-su runs in the June 3rd local elections. After deliberating over several regions, former leader Han has effectively made official his candidacy for the Busan Buk-gap by-election.
In a Facebook post that day, former leader Han wrote, "I recently secured a home in Mandeok, Buk-gu, Busan," describing it as "that quiet, pleasant place where I met middle school students on their way home from school." He added, "I will live for the citizens of Busan."
Former leader Han recently met with former lawmaker Seo Byung-su, who serves as the Busan Buk-gap party district committee chairman and previously served as Busan mayor, and received encouragement to run in the Busan Buk-gap by-election.
Subsequently, in a media interview, former leader Han strongly hinted at the possibility of running, saying, "I have deep affection for Busan and have very grand thoughts about contributing to making Busan greater," and "My heart is easy to read. Aren't you already reading my heart (regarding the candidacy)?"
Former leader Han is expected to officially declare his candidacy once lawmaker Jeon, who was selected as the Democratic Party's Busan mayoral candidate, resigns his assembly seat at the end of this month, confirming the Buk-gap by-election.
The Democratic Party of Korea has been working to persuade Ha Jung-woo, Presidential AI Secretary, to run in that district. Although President Lee Jae-myung previously publicly expressed negative views about Secretary Ha's candidacy, the Democratic Party's courtship continues. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae plans to meet with Secretary Ha this week to request his candidacy, and within the party, there are assessments that recruiting Secretary Ha has "crossed the 80% mark."