Candidates who previously served as presidential aides performed strongly across the country in the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, demonstrating the success of the ruling party's talent recruitment strategy. With key aides appointed since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration likely to enter the National Assembly and local governments in large numbers, the move is expected to bolster state affairs management.
According to the National Election Commission, as of 1 a.m. on the 4th, three of seven candidates with presidential office backgrounds were likely to win: former spokesperson Kim Nam-jun (Gyeyang-B, Incheon), former spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo (Asan-B, South Chungcheong), and former Presidential Secretary for Public Digital Communications Kim Nam-kuk (Ansan-A, Gyeonggi). Kim Nam-jun was leading with an overwhelming 78.15% of the vote, while Kim Nam-kuk recorded 55.12%. Jeon also far outpaced rivals with 64.67%.
Kim Nam-jun, who ran in Gyeyang-B in Incheon, is considered one of President Lee's closest aides, having assisted him from his days as Seongnam mayor through his time as Gyeonggi governor and at the presidential office. The ruling camp expects Kim to serve as a communication channel between the party, government, and presidential office once he enters the National Assembly. Jeon Eun-soo is regarded as a representative member of the "Lee Jae-myung Kids," while Kim Nam-kuk is a member of the "Group of Seven," a core pro-Lee faction. Their entry into the legislature is expected to further strengthen the ruling bloc's momentum in driving state affairs.
Kim Byung-wook, a former presidential secretary for political affairs, was also likely to win the mayoral race in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. Seongnam is the region where President Lee built his political foundation, and the ruling party is set to reclaim a symbolically significant area through this victory.
Woo Sang-ho, a former senior presidential secretary for political affairs running for Gangwon governor, was in a tight race with 51.38% of the vote at the same hour, tracking closely with the joint exit poll by the three major broadcasters (51.3%).
With figures from the presidential office set to take posts across the National Assembly and local governments, observers expect the ruling camp's organizational strength to be further reinforced as it pushes forward with state agenda items. Meanwhile, in the Buk-A by-election in Busan, Ha Jung-woo, the former senior presidential secretary for AI and future planning, was locked in a close contest with 42.90% against independent candidate Han Dong-hoon at 42.33%.
