Lawmakers attend a plenary session of the National Assembly during an extraordinary February session in Seoul, Feb. 12, as members of the People Power Party (PPP) boycott the meeting. The PPP skipped both the plenary session and standing committee meetings to protest judicial reform bills passed by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee a day earlier. Yonhap
As the Lunar New Year holiday ends, Korea’s political parties are shifting into full campaign mode for nationwide local elections in June, sharpening strategies based on voter sentiment and accelerating preparations for candidate nominations.
The elections will be the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae Myung took office last year and are widely viewed as an early test of his political momentum — one that could help determine control of the national agenda in the years ahead.
Both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) are activating internal election committees and refining campaign messages, even as each grapples with internal tensions that could complicate plans.
The DPK said public sentiment over the holiday underscored demand for political reform and relief from everyday economic strains. Party officials said they would anchor their campaign around those themes.
DPK leaders said reform legislation — including bills tied to changes in the judiciary — would remain a priority during February’s extraordinary parliamentary session. Beginning in March, they plan to pivot toward bread-and-butter economic concerns, seeking to broaden support beyond the party’s base.
At the same time, the party is moving swiftly to lock in its nomination process, aiming to project stability and readiness. DPK lawmakers are keen to avoid internecine disputes and to draw a contrast with the turmoil seen in the opposition, particularly as the party continues to recover from allegations of campaign donation irregularities tied to the 2022 local elections.
The party has already established key bodies to oversee nominations and election management. Interviews for gubernatorial and mayoral hopefuls are scheduled for later this month, with preliminaries set to begin in early March. Final nominations across all regions are expected to be completed by April 20.
Officials are also planning a joint rally for local election candidates ahead of the official registration period in mid-May.
Still, signs of factional friction remain, raising concerns about unity as campaigning intensifies.
Source: Korea Times News
