Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
DPK heavyweights vie for Seoul mayor post
Former Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil announces his bid to run for Seoul mayor post at a press conference in Hongdae, Mapo District, Seoul, Sunday. Joint Press Corps
By Nam Hyun-woo
Incumbent Seoul mayor comfortably leads DPK candidates in hypothetical polls
By Nam Hyun-woo
Former chairmen of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are staging a tight race to become the party candidate for the Seoul mayor post in the June 1 local elections. So far however, none of them have taken the lead over incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).
According to a Realmeter poll, Sunday, former DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon was leading the other DPK contenders seeking the Seoul mayor post with a 22.4-percent support rate. Following him were former DPK Chairman Song Young-gil with 20.3 percent and former SMEs and startups minister Park Young-sun with 9 percent.
The poll was requested by Media Tribune and surveyed 812 adults in Seoul from April 14 to 15. Further details are available on the websites of Realmeter and the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.
Among those who said they are DPK supporters, however, former Chairman Song enjoyed the most support of 36.2 percent, outpacing former Chairman Lee with 24.7 percent.
Former Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil, left, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speak during the 10th Seoul Economic Forum at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul on Yeouido, Seoul, April 14. Joint Press Corps
In hypothetical one-on-one competitions against the current Seoul mayor, the PPP's only candidate, Oh Se-hoon, both Lee and Song lagged behind. When Oh was pitted against Lee Nak-yon, 49.2 percent preferred Oh, while 35 percent selected Lee. In a competition between Oh and Song Young-gil, Oh secured 50.8 percent, outpacing Song's 37.1 percent.
Song, who led the DPK from May of last year, resigned from his chairmanship on March 10, a day after the party's presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, lost the presidential election in an extremely close race. As a result, some controversy has arisen over whether Song's Seoul mayoral bid is appropriate due to his responsibility in the party's loss of the presidential election.
While Song officially announced his bid to run for Seoul mayor on Sunday, former Chairman Lee is yet to reveal his intention to run for the Seoul mayor post.
Lee had competed in a heated race against former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung during the party's internal primary for presidential candidate, but lost.
However, former party Chairman Lee is now emerging as a mayoral candidate with a fresh outlook, having served in the past as the North Jeolla Province Governor, prime minister in the Moon administration, and lawmaker for Seoul's Jongno District.
Last week, the DPK announced that it will select its Seoul mayor candidate through the party's internal screening process, without holding a party primary. However, Song and a number of other hopefuls complained about this process, claiming that the move is aimed at naming former Chairman Lee as the candidate.