The Democratic Party of Korea announced Thursday that it will nominate attorney Jeon Tae-jin for the Ulsan Nam-gu A constituency, where a by-election will be held following lawmaker Kim Sang-wook's bid for Ulsan mayor.
"Ulsan Nam-A is the most challenging constituency for the Democratic Party among this round of by-elections," Hwang Hee, chair of the Democratic Party's Strategic Nomination Management Committee, said at a briefing held at the National Assembly on the same day. "Party leader Jung Chung-rae and the Democratic Party have recruited attorney Jeon as the first talent recruit for the by-election."
Party leader Jung Chung-rae said, "When I actually visited Ulsan, I thought it was no longer unfavorable territory. A blue wave was stirring." He added, "We are preparing a local election that could come as a refreshing shock to the public."
Jung also said, "Going forward, we will place candidates for National Assembly by-elections through three principles: talent recruitment, internal promotion, and redeployment of existing prominent figures within the party."
He added that the party is actively considering former Gangwon Province Governor Lee Kwang-jae as a target for strategic nomination in the National Assembly by-elections. "Someone like former Governor Lee would be a worthy candidate anywhere, and I believe he would be competitive even if he ran in the hot-place constituency that you are all guessing about," he said.
Regarding whether former party leader Song Young-gil would be nominated, he responded, "We are keeping him in mind." On the consideration of Kim Yong, former vice director of the Democratic Research Institute, he said, "There will be a day when I can share more gradually."