Song signals comeback with by-election in sight

Feb 25, 2026, 07:46 am

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Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil. /Lee Byung-hwa

Former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Song Young-gil signaled a possible run in the June 3 parliamentary by-election and a potential bid for party leadership, saying both moves would depend on the approval of his reinstatement.

Speaking on MBC radio’s “Kim Jong-bae’s Focus” on Feb. 24, Song said, “I have stated that I intend to return to the National Assembly,” but added that it would be premature to declare a candidacy before his party membership is restored.

Song left the Democratic Party in 2023 after becoming the subject of an investigation related to an alleged money-envelope distribution scandal at the party’s national convention. He is currently undergoing reinstatement procedures after a court ruling of not guilty was finalized.

“I submitted my application to the Incheon city party, but the central party will review it,” Song said. “I expect a decision to be made this week.”

Regarding speculation that he may run in Incheon’s Gyeyang-eul district in the upcoming by-election, Song noted that he recently moved to the district’s Byeongbang-dong neighborhood. Observers widely interpreted the relocation as a sign of his intention to run.

“I’ve returned to my political hometown,” he said. “If I’m coming back home, shouldn’t I go where I used to live?”

Earlier, former presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-jun, known as a close aide to President Lee Jae-myung, declared his candidacy for the same district, setting up a potential contest between the two.

Asked whether he had discussed the race with Kim, Song replied, “I won’t comment,” adding that the selection of a National Assembly candidate should be decided by local party members and voters.

As for a possible bid in the party’s national convention scheduled for August, Song said, “This is not the time to talk about that,” but did not rule out the possibility. “Once I return to the party, if there is a place where I am needed, I will serve with the mindset of a rank-and-file member,” he said.

#Song Young-gil #Democratic Party of Korea #by-election