South Korea Local Elections on June 3: Can the Conservative 'People Power Party' Hold Daegu?

The local elections and parliamentary by-elections in South Korea are set for June 3. Political commentator Kim Jun-il stated that the conservative People Power Party (PPP) is left with only a hardline support base, making defeat in this election inevitable. Cho Gab-je pointed out that whether the PPP can hold its stronghold in Daegu is the key.

With the elections approaching, the streets are filled with campaign slogans and vehicles. Commentators Cho Gab-je and Kim Jun-il were invited to the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club today to analyze the upcoming elections.

Kim stated that the conservative camp has long been the mainstream in South Korean society, holding power since the 1970s. However, events such as the Sewol ferry disaster and the influence-peddling scandal during the Park Geun-hye administration, along with President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law in 2024, have confirmed that the conservative party no longer has the capacity to govern.

Kim criticized the party, saying, "There used to be an impression that conservatives were corrupt but competent, while progressives were clean but incompetent. Now, conservatives have become both corrupt and incompetent." He added that the conservative camp still believes it is the mainstream, but that is no longer the case.

Kim analyzed that the PPP is now supported only by a very hardline base. "If they continue the status quo, they will likely remain a minority party for a long time." He noted that a defeat in the local elections is almost certain.

Currently, the PPP relies on regionalism in areas like Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan, but many votes in these regions are shifting to the Democratic Party. Kim said, "If they suffer a crushing defeat, a factional struggle within the party is inevitable."

Cho, however, believes the key to this election lies with "common-sense conservatives." Stimulated by the Democratic Party's "one-party dominance," they are beginning to participate actively in voting, leading to fierce battles in many areas.

Cho pointed out that if these voters turn out, the most notable races are the Seoul mayoral election (Democratic Party's Jung Won-oh vs. PPP's Oh Se-hoon) and the Busan North-Gap by-election, where former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon is running.

Additionally, while Daegu is a PPP stronghold, Cho noted that the party nominated Choo Kyung-ho, who was suspected of obstructing the lifting of martial law, while the Democratic Party nominated former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum. "I think Daegu citizens are struggling with how to choose," he said.