With the June 3 local elections approaching, four heavyweight politicians widely seen as presidential contenders have thrown their hats into the ring for concurrent National Assembly by-elections and special elections.
On the Democratic Party side, former party leader Song Young-gil has been strategically nominated for Incheon Gyeyang-eul, while former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae will run in Gyeonggi Hanam-gap. Meanwhile, Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, has declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul, and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, is entering the race in Busan Buk-gap. Both have already begun active campaigning.
If lawmakers chosen as candidates for local elections resign their seats before the official registration period, additional by-elections could be triggered, further reshaping the political landscape ahead of the next presidential election.