The Democratic Party of Korea announced on Sunday the primary election regions for the June 3 local elections, covering Seoul, Gyeonggi, Ulsan, and Jeonnam-Gwangju. All candidates who applied in each region were confirmed as primary contestants, finalizing the matchups.
Kim Yi-su, chairman of the party's nomination committee, announced the nomination policy at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. "We have confirmed all applicants as primary candidates," Kim said regarding the Seoul primary.
Six candidates will compete for the Seoul mayoral nomination: Rep. Kim Young-bae, Rep. Park Joo-min, Rep. Park Hong-keun, Rep. Jeon Hyun-hee, Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Won-oh, and Kim Hyung-nam, former secretary-general of the Military Human Rights Center.
In Gyeonggi Province, incumbent Governor Kim Dong-yeon will face Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, Rep. Choo Mi-ae, Rep. Han Jun-ho, and former Rep. Yang Ki-dae in the primary.
Seoul and Gyeonggi will hold preliminary primaries to narrow the field to three candidates each for the main primary. However, if a female or youth candidate fails to place in the top three, that candidate will be added, potentially creating a four-way race.
For the Ulsan mayoral race, Rep. Kim Sang-wook, former Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, Ahn Jae-hyun (former standing representative of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's Ulsan committee), and Lee Sun-ho (former presidential secretary for local autonomy) will compete.
The integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju election features eight preliminary candidates: Kang Ki-jung, Kim Young-rok, Min Hyung-bae, Shin Jung-hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Lee Byung-hoon, Jung Jun-ho, and Joo Cheol-hyun. A preliminary primary will select five finalists.
"We will hold joint speech debates divided by region—Gwangju, eastern Jeonnam, and western Jeonnam—to narrow the field to five," Kim said. "For the main primary, we will propose to the Supreme Council a touring vote system including a citizen nomination jury system."
Cho Seung-rae, secretary-general and vice chairman of the nomination committee, said primaries would conclude by March 20, including potential runoffs. "Seoul will be held last, with Gyeonggi and Jeonnam-Gwangju scheduled earlier," Cho explained.
The committee also decided to open additional applications for Busan mayoral candidates from March 9-13. Former Oceans and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-su is expected to apply during this period.
"There are candidates being prominently mentioned inside and outside the party," Cho said. "This is about providing opportunity and considering Busan's strategic and symbolic significance."