Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Key presidential aides rumored to eye bids in next year’s local elections
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, center, enters the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport, Nov. 13, to leave for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
June 3 ballot seen as litmus test for Lee Jae Myung administration
With six months to go before next year’s June 3 local elections, speculation is mounting over potential candidacies among senior aides in the presidential office.
Considering the legal deadlines for public officials to resign and eligibility rules for listing government service as experience, a clearer picture of potential contenders is expected to emerge by early next year, after the presidential office completes its move to Cheong Wa Dae at year’s end. As a result, a large-scale reshuffle of key presidential staff in February now appears likely.
The by-elections, to be held concurrently with local elections, could see more than a dozen parliamentary seats up for grabs. Under current election law, lawmakers representing constituencies vacated by April 30, 2026, will be replaced in the by-elections. Two constituencies are already clearly confirmed: Gyeyang-B in Incheon, President Lee Jae Myung’s former district, and Asan-B in South Chungcheong Province, formerly represented by chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik. Many observers believe these districts could attract high-profile figures from the presidential office.
According to political insiders on Monday, Kang is regarded as a strong potential candidate for either Seoul mayor or governor of South Chungcheong Province. Although he has never publicly addressed such speculation, his name remains at the top of candidate lists circulating within ruling party circles. Kang has recently taken on prominent roles, including serving as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation and spearheading defense export initiatives, moves widely regarded as efforts to elevate his profile across diplomacy, governance and policy.
Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, responds to questions from committee members during a parliamentary audit of the presidential office held at the National Assembly in Seoul, Nov. 6. Yonhap
Signs of electoral ambition are also emerging within the Political Affairs Office. Woo Sang-ho, a seasoned former four-term lawmaker and current senior secretary for political affairs, is viewed as a leading contender for the Gangwon Province governorship, while Kim Byung-wook, a former two-term lawmaker now serving as presidential secretary for political affairs, is seen as a likely candidate for Seongnam mayor.
Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon, a longtime aide who has worked with Lee since his early political career, is also rumored to be preparing a bid in next year’s by-elections. Although not officially confirmed, Kim’s recent move into the spokesperson role — which entails frequent media exposure — has been seen as strategic positioning ahead of a potential campaign. His name has been mentioned as a possible contender for the Gyeyang-B constituency in Incheon.
Observers say these potential bids reflect the president’s emphasis on local governance and electoral strategy. Viewed as the Lee administration’s first litmus test, the upcoming elections are broadly seen as a key measure of political strength. A weak showing could sap the administration’s momentum, while strong results — especially if high-profile presidential aides are on the ballot — could reinforce its mandate and enhance its political standing.
Korea’s election law requires public officials to resign at least 90 days before voting day, which would land on March 5, 2026. To meet both resignation deadlines and eligibility criteria tied to government service, most presidential aides are expected to finalize their decisions by February, paving the way for a sweeping reorganization of the presidential office.