The Democratic Party of Korea, which is finalizing its nominations for by-elections to be held alongside the June 3 local elections, is wrestling with its selection for Pyeongtaek-B in Gyeonggi Province.
According to political sources on Tuesday, the Democratic Party is conducting candidate recommendations and vetting under a plan to finalize strategic by-election nominees by early May. With 13 by-election districts confirmed, three Gyeonggi-area constituencies — Ansan-A, Hanam-A, and Pyeongtaek-B — are considered the key battlegrounds.
While candidate competition is heating up in most districts amid the Democratic Party's favorable momentum, Pyeongtaek-B is an exception. The district is widely regarded as a relatively conservative-leaning area, and the race is further complicated by the challenge of pan-ruling bloc unification with figures such as Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and Progressive Party leader Kim Jae-yeon. As a result, contenders willing to step forward are rare compared with districts where rivals are piling in. "Several names are being floated from outside, but in Pyeongtaek, there is no one visibly preparing to run," a Democratic Party official said.
Within the Democratic Party, former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam, who comes from the conservative camp, is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate. However, Kim also appears unenthusiastic about the prospect for the same reasons. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jie-won said on YTN Radio that day, "(Kim) said he wants to go to Hanam. He didn't mention Pyeongtaek." Kim has stated he will follow the leadership's decision. The possibility of former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae running in the district has also been raised, after Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae hinted at his potential nomination.
Even after the Democratic Party selects its candidate, discussions on pan-ruling bloc unification are seen as unavoidable. There is a shared understanding that if support is split between Cho and the Democratic Party's base, the People Power Party (PPP) candidate could win by default — a scenario the party is determined to avoid. Although unlikely, some within the party have suggested forgoing a nomination altogether out of consideration for the Rebuilding Korea Party, a key ally in the pan-ruling bloc.
In the People Power Party, former lawmaker Yoo Eui-dong is preparing to run in the district. Within the conservative camp, the name of former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has also been mentioned.
