By Kim Sue-young Staff Reporter A total of 1,173 people have applied to run in the forthcoming National Assembly elections on the ticket of the Grand National Party (GNP) in 243 districts nationwide, the party announced Sunday, a competition rate of 4.82 to 1, the party's highest ever. Party sources attributed the high application rate to the 50 percent popularity rate that the party enjoys. President-elect Lee Myung-bak won the Dec. 19 election on the GNP's ticket with 48.7 percent of the vote. A large number of businessmen as well as Lee's confidants threw their hat into the ring to be a legislator during the incoming government, which is expected to execute economy-focused policies. A total of 283 businessmen, almost four times more than those in the 2004 elections, submitted applications to run in the elections slated for April 9. Political observers said that those entrepreneurs seemingly cast a positive view on the victory because the incoming government led by businessman-turned-politician Lee will likely require economic experts. With the highest registration rate, some districts were crowded with 10 hopefuls or more. A total of 16 applied for Unpyeong in Seoul, while 15 registered for Gumcheon in the capital. But no one applied for the Muan-Sinan district in South Jeolla Province, a stronghold of the pro-government United New Democratic Party (UNDP). Districts in which Lee's confidants applied for saw less competition with political observers forecasting their victory due to the halo effect of Lee's large popularity. Reps. Lee Jae-oh and Chung Doo-un who helped the President-elect win the election have no party rivals in districts in Seoul. Other hopefuls include 130 from the legal sector, 91 professors and 33 journalists. The observers said the high popularity of the conservative party leveraged more challenges giving the candidates hope that they can easily become a lawmaker once they are nominated. An in-house committee plans to screen the hopefuls between late February and early March and announce the finalists by mid-March. For proportional representation seats, it will accept registrations until early next month and announce candidates one or two weeks later. ``We will recruit fresh figures with a lot of skill and talent to win more seats,'' said committee head Jung Jong-bok. Amid rising expectations of a GNP sweep, veteran politicians from the pro-government party announced they will not seek re-election. UNDP lawmakers Kim Han-gill, Lee Hae-chan and Kim Won-ki gave up their candidacy and independent six-term legislator Chough Soon-hyuny followed suit. Of GNP members, Rep. Kim Yong-gap gave up his fourth run. ksy@koreatimes.co.kr