Former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon announced on January 13 that he has secured a residence in Busan's Buk-gu district, officially declaring his candidacy for the Buk-gap by-election triggered by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeon Jae-su's bid for Busan mayor. The Democratic Party is strongly pushing for Ha Jung-woo, the Presidential Office's AI Future Planning Secretary, to run in the district, drawing attention to whether a "big match" between the two candidates will materialize. In Ansan-gap, Gyeonggi Province—a Democratic Party stronghold—former lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction has officially announced his candidacy, while heavyweight figures including Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, are expected to intensify their competition for metropolitan constituencies.
Han announced on Facebook, "I recently secured a home in Mandeok, Buk-gu, Busan." By disclosing his relocation amid strong speculation about his Busan Buk-gap candidacy, he effectively confirmed his run. "It's that quiet, pleasant neighborhood where I met middle school students heading home," he said, adding, "I will live for the citizens of Busan."
Although Han was reportedly weighing between Daegu Suseong-gap and Busan Buk-gap just weeks ago, he ultimately leaned toward Busan. Han has consistently shown his affection for Busan, including supporting the Lotte Giants, the city's professional baseball team. He served at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office for about two years from 2007 to 2009, and was demoted to serve as deputy chief prosecutor at the Busan High Prosecutors' Office for approximately five months in 2020 following a personnel reshuffle by then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
An opposition official said, "Han delayed officially announcing his Buk-gap candidacy because he thought Jeon might postpone his resignation to avoid creating a by-election district. But his heart had already been leaning toward Busan."
With Han's candidacy district now determined, controversy has erupted within the PPP over whether to field a candidate there. Seo Byung-su, chairman of the PPP's Busan Buk-gap district council, said, "If Han runs in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, the PPP should ally with him even if it means not fielding a candidate." However, the PPP drew a line, stating, "Not fielding a candidate is unacceptable for a proper political party and contradicts the will of party members."
Ha is emerging as the leading ruling party candidate for Buk-gap. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae plans to meet Ha personally this week to urge him to run. Lee Yeon-hee, chair of the Democratic Party's Strategic Planning Committee, said persuading Ha to run has "crossed the 80% mark." While Ha carries less political weight than Han, he is regarded as the right person to rally ruling party supporters as one of President Lee Jae-myung's closest aides. The Democratic Party has decided to nominate an externally recruited candidate for Ulsan Nam-gap, where a by-election will be held following lawmaker Kim Sang-wook's bid for Ulsan mayor, with a recruitment event scheduled for January 17.
In the metropolitan area, the Democratic Party is moving quickly. Kim Yong, known as one of President Lee's closest confidants, announced his intention to run in a Gyeonggi Province by-election. At a press conference at the National Assembly, Kim said, "I plan to run in the by-election. Since I've been active in Gyeonggi Province, I hope to be assigned there as my constituency."
Ansan-gap and Pyeongtaek-eul are mentioned as potential districts for Kim. However, party leadership faces a dilemma as Kim was sentenced to five years in prison in both first and second trials for the Daejang-dong development corruption case, with only the Supreme Court ruling remaining.
In Ansan-gap, former lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol and Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Nam-kook—who left the Presidential Office amid a "favor-seeking controversy"—have already declared their candidacies. At his candidacy announcement press conference, Jeon said, "This is a time when politics of unity that transcends conflict is needed," adding, "Fair competition must be guaranteed." Ansan-gap and Pyeongtaek-eul are also districts Cho Kuk is considering. Cho is expected to officially announce his chosen district on January 13, and there remains a possibility that the Democratic Party may pursue candidate unification as part of an electoral alliance with the Rebuilding Korea Party.
For the PPP, former lawmaker Jang Sung-min is running in Ansan-gap, while former lawmakers Yoo Eui-dong and Lee Jae-young are competing in Pyeongtaek-eul. However, with party approval ratings stagnant, finding competitive candidates in the metropolitan area remains a challenge.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to select candidates through strategic nominations without primaries for all constituencies in this by-election, which is being described as a "mini general election." While the intent is to choose optimal candidates for a sweeping victory, concerns are emerging that the complex internal dynamics could escalate into factional conflicts. Party leader Jeong said at the supreme council meeting, "Strategic nomination is the principle, and we will nominate candidates in all districts to win."
