The upcoming by-election in Busan Buk-gap, triggered by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeon Jae-su's bid for Busan mayor, has sparked speculation that Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party (PPP), may run against each other.
Busan Buk-gap is considered a tough battleground for both Cho and Han, neither of whom currently holds a parliamentary seat. However, both face mounting pressure to run, as winning in the Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) region would provide a political springboard.
Expectations for a head-to-head showdown between Cho and Han are growing, according to political circles on Thursday.
Cho has maintained a cautious stance, saying he has not decided on a constituency. As a non-parliamentary figure, he is reportedly keenly aware of the limitations of serving as party leader without a National Assembly seat, making parliamentary entry his top priority.
Still, Cho's name keeps surfacing in Busan Buk-gap speculation because of the Rebuilding Korea Party's shrinking footprint. The party currently records only about 2 percent in party approval ratings. "There are views that if Cho wins in Busan, he would rapidly re-emerge as a political leader," a Rebuilding Korea Party official said.
