Democratic Party candidates intensify checks on leaders

Mar 17, 2026, 10:00 am

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Jeong Won-oh, preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor from the Democratic Party of Korea, answers reporters’ questions during a press day at the National Assembly Communication Hall on March 11. / Photographed by Lee Byung-hwa

Candidates in the Democratic Party of Korea’s preliminary races for Seoul mayor and Gyeonggi governor—widely seen as the most competitive battlegrounds in the upcoming June 3 local elections—have begun intensifying their checks on leading contenders.

According to political sources on March 16, a joint primary debate for Seoul and Gyeonggi candidates will take place on March 19.

In Seoul, candidates including Jeong Won-oh, Park Joo-min, Jeon Hyun-hee, Kim Hyung-nam and Kim Young-bae are set to participate. Originally planned as a single debate, the event will now be held twice following agreement among all candidates. Jeong Won-oh, who has been leading in recent opinion polls, has also stated he will not attend debates not hosted by the National Election Commission.

During the debate, Jeong is expected to face strong criticism from rival candidates. Challenger Park Joo-min has targeted Jeong’s claim that rising apartment prices during his tenure as Seongdong District mayor were an achievement, arguing that it conflicts with the Lee Jae-myung administration’s policy of stabilizing the housing market.

Park has unveiled policy proposals on housing supply and transportation, saying, “I have experience working with the president to design national-level systems and improve people’s lives. That is the decisive difference between Jeong Won-oh and myself.”

Jeon Hyun-hee also pushed back against Jeong’s stance on privatizing profitable transit lines while announcing seven key transportation pledges.

In Gyeonggi Province, a coordinated offensive is also expected against Kim Dong-yeon, who is seeking re-election with the advantage of incumbency. The March 19 joint debate will include Kim along with Han Joon-ho, Choo Mi-ae, Yang Ki-dae and Kwon Chil-seung.

At a previous joint speech event, candidates collectively targeted Kim’s past record and political identity, signaling that pressure on the frontrunner is likely to intensify further as the primary race unfolds.

#Seoul mayor race #Gyeonggi governor race #Democratic Party of Korea #Jeong Won-oh #Kim Dong-yeon