2022 Sangdang by-election
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A by-election was held on 9 March 2022 for the National Assembly seat for Sangdang. It was called following the election annulment of the incumbent, Jeong Jeong-soon, on 1 September 2021.[1] A part of the March 2022 by-elections, this by-election will be held together with the 2022 presidential election.[2][3]
Jeong, who is a member of the ruling Democratic Party, was elected MP for Sangdang at the 2020 election, defeating Yoon Gap-geun from the United Future Party (UFP), Kim Hong-bae from the Minsaeng Party, Kim Jong-dae from the Justice Party, and Hong Kyung-hee from the National Revolutionary Dividends Party (NRDP).
Chung Woo-taik from the PPP had won the by-election by a landslide majority of 28,396 votes to return to be the MP for Sangdang again.
Lee Jang-sup, the MP for Seowon and the Democratic Party North Chungcheong chairman denied the party was considering put a direct candidate, as no one had intention for the election and Jeong Jeong-soon was still remaining as the Division Chief of the party despite his election result had already been void on 1 September 2021.[4] Newspapers have mentioned the names of several potential candidates, including Lee Si-jong, the Governor of North Chungcheong,[5] whose term is supposed to end by 30 June 2022 and is ineligible for seeking another term at the 2022 local elections.[6] Nevertheless, on 25 January 2022, the Democratic Party made an announcement to not contest for the by-election in order to take a responsibility of provoking it.[7]
In the People Power Party (PPP), the former North Chungcheong governor Chung Woo-taik was the leading candidate.[8] He was also the former MP for Sangdang from 2012 to 2020, but was relocated to Heungdeok at the 2020 election,[9][10] which he lost to the incumbent Do Jong-hwan.[11] He announced to run for the by-election on 27 December 2021.[12] Yoon Gap-geun, who contested at the 2020 election under the United Future Party (UFP) banner, was also considered potential candidate after he was acquitted of court cases on 15 December.[13][14][15] Yoon also launched his bid to contest on 27 January 2022.[16] Chung won PPP preselection on 10 February.[17][18]
On 6 January 2022, the Justice Party announced the party will again back the former candidate Kim Jong-dae to contest again for Sangdang.[19] This decision, however, provoked internal conflicts due to his competence.[20] Chung Se-young, the former Justice Party North Chungcheong chairman, cited that Kim, who was under the party's North Chungcheong branch, left the party, but returned to Gyeonggi branch.[20] Regarding Chung's claim, Kim revealed the reason, which is because of a broadcasting related to elections.[20] On 17 January, Lee Yin-seon, the Justice Party North Chungcheong chairman, revealed that Kim declined to contest at the by-election, but would rather focus on the presidential election.[21][22]
On 7 February, Kim Hyun-moon, the People Party North Chungcheong chairman, sent his intention to contest at this by-election to the central office.[23] 2 days later, he, however, withdrew himself, citing "personal reasons".[23] A day before, Ahn Chang-hyun, the former Seowon People Party chief, quit the party and announced he will contest as an independent candidate.[24][25]
As no non-conservative parties put their respective candidates, it was expected that Chung might win uncontested.[26] Nevertheless, on 14 February, Kim Shi-jean, the policy secretary to the Superintendent of Education of North Chungcheong Kim Byung-woo, announced her intention to run as an independent candidate, adding that she wants to bring changes to Sangdang.[27] Park Jin-jae, an anti-immigration activist, is also contesting as an independent candidate.[28]
Controversies and issues
There were no debates for this by-election as Chung Woo-taik is the sole candidate qualifying for the debates.[29][30] According to the law only member of a political party that has at least 5 MPs and/or, received at least 3% votes at the past elections qualify for the debates.[29][30] Based on these regulations, only Chung is qualified.[29][30] People's Solidarity for Participation and Citizens' Autonomy, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), urged the Sangdang National Election Commission (NEC) branch to hold debates to guarantee the "right to know".[31]
Kim Shi-jean, an independent candidate, was criticised by netizens for using blue as a main colour, which is also the colour used by the Democratic Party that did not put forward a candidate.[32] A photo was uploaded on her Facebook, which was taken along with the Democratic Party president Song Young-gil, also brought controversies.[32] Park Jin-jae, another independent candidate, also criticised Kim for confusing the voters over using blue colour and not mentioning herself as an "independent".[32]