Sasang (constituency)

Sasang, like the majority of constituencies located in the Busan–Gyeongnam Area is widely considered a stronghold for the conservative People Power Party.^[1][2] Accordingly, the constituency has consistently elected members of conservative political parties and allied independents, with the only exception being in 2012 when Moon Jae-in of the liberal Democratic United Party was elected.^[3]

Kwon Chul-hyun of the conservative Grand National Party was the first member to represent the constituency.^[4] He won re-election in 2004, but was "cut-off" from being re-nominated in 2008.^[5] He was succeeded by Chang Je-won, the son of former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea Chang Sŏng-man.^[6] Chang did not run for re-election in 2012 due to a bribery scandal, and the Saenuri Party nominated Son Su-jo as the party's candidate for Sasang.^[7] Moon Jae-in of the liberal Democratic United Party defeated Son in the general election, marking the only time a member of a centre-left, liberal party won in the constituency.^[8] Moon led an unsuccessful presidential campaign in the 2012 South Korean presidential election and remained as the member of the National Assembly for Sasang. Moon did not run for re-election and was succeeded by the constituency's former member Chang Je-won.^[9][10] Chang, who ran as an independent candidate, garnered 37.5% of the vote and narrowly beat out Democratic opponent Bae Jae-jung in a three-way race.^[11] Chang won re-election in 2020 with 52.03% of the vote, once again defeating Bae Jae-jung of the Democratic Party.^[12] Ahead of the 2024 South Korean legislative election, Chang announced that he would not stand for re-election.^[13] The People Power Party nominated Kim Dae-sik, who went on to win the general election; Bae Jae-jung marked her third consecutive loss in Sasang.^[14]

The constituency encompasses the entirety of Sasang District, Busan. It borders the constituencies of Seo–Dong to the southeast, Saha A to the south, Busanjin A and Busanjin B to the east, Buk A to the north, and Gangseo to the west.