Han Dong-hoon scores dramatic victory in Busan Buk-gu Gap, emerging as key figure in conservative rebuilding effort; Cho Kuk suffers defeat in high-stakes Pyeongtaek race; broad opposition bloc wins 5 of 15 seats, signaling political upheaval ahead

Han Dong-hoon, winner of the Busan Buk-gu Gap by-election, pumps his fist and embraces a campaign staffer at his district office in Buk-gu after his victory was confirmed Thursday. [Yonhap]
Han Dong-hoon, winner of the Busan Buk-gu Gap by-election, pumps his fist and embraces a campaign staffer at his district office in Buk-gu after his victory was confirmed Thursday. [Yonhap]

The Democratic Party of Korea won nine seats, the People Power Party four and an independent one in the June 3 parliamentary by-elections held across 14 constituencies — a vote widely dubbed a "mini general election." The Democratic Party had set out to defend all 13 of its existing seats but ended up losing four, a disappointing result. The broader opposition bloc, meanwhile, expanded from one seat to five, a notable outcome.

Particularly closely watched were the races in Busan's Buk-gu Gap and Gyeonggi Province's Pyeongtaek Eul — two of the most fiercely contested constituencies in the country — where Han Dong-hoon and Cho Kuk each staked their political futures. The two candidates' final results could not have been more different.

According to the National Election Commission, independent candidate Han won Buk-gu Gap with 42.96 percent of the vote, edging out Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo (41.26 percent) and People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik (15.76 percent).

Shortly after his victory was confirmed at around 2:04 a.m. Thursday, Han said he would "develop Busan's Buk-gu, rebuild conservatism and check the runaway Lee Jae Myung administration to restore balance to the Republic of Korea." He added that he would "fulfill the mission entrusted to me, putting the people of Buk-gu, the people of Busan and the people of Korea first."

"I felt again how fearsome and great the will of the people is," Han said. "I sincerely thank the citizens of Buk-gu for opening the path to Buk-gu's future and the rebuilding of conservatism."

Han's entry into the National Assembly makes him the single biggest variable in the reshaping of the conservative camp. Political observers say he is likely to clash head-on with the PPP leadership — including party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, who had him expelled from the party — over the contest for the next party chairmanship.

Cho Kuk, the Rebuilding Korea Party candidate for Pyeongtaek Eul, bows his head in concession at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on Thursday. [Yonhap]
Cho Kuk, the Rebuilding Korea Party candidate for Pyeongtaek Eul, bows his head in concession at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on Thursday. [Yonhap]

Cho, by contrast, managed only 27.24 percent in Pyeongtaek Eul, finishing behind PPP candidate Yoo Eui-dong (34.83 percent) and Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam (28.77 percent).

At around 3 a.m. Thursday at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Cho said the top priority of the June election had been to achieve "PPP zero" nationwide. "There were meaningful results across the country, but in Pyeongtaek I could not complete that mission. It is entirely my shortcoming and my responsibility," he said, bowing his head. The party's "PPP zero" campaign slogan was itself judged a failure following his defeat.

The loss also threatens to derail merger talks between the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Democratic Party. Political circles say the two parties are unlikely to sit down at the negotiating table anytime soon, given the unexpectedly bruising battle between Cho's camp and Kim's that left both sides deeply wounded.

The Democratic Party held nine seats: Song Yeong-gil in Incheon Yeonsu Gap, Kim Nam-jun in Gyeyang Eul, Im Mun-yeong in Gwangju Gwangsan Eul, Lee Gwang-jae in Gyeonggi Hanam Gap, Kim Nam-kuk in Ansan Gap, Kim Eui-gyeom in North Jeolla's Gunsan-Gimje-Buan Gap, Park Ji-won in Gunsan-Gimje-Buan Eul, Jeon Eun-su in Asan Eul and Kim Seong-beom in Jeju's Seogwipo.

The People Power Party pulled off come-from-behind victories in Ulsan Nam-gu and the South Chungcheong by-election covering Gongju, Buyeo-gun and Cheongyang-gun, with candidates Kim Tae-gyu and Yun Yong-geun respectively. In Daegu's Dalseong-gun, Lee Jin-suk won her race.

As a result of the elections, the Democratic Party's seat count rose from 152 to 161, while the People Power Party's increased from 106 to 110. Although the broader opposition bloc made meaningful gains, analysts say the results fall short of reversing the existing dynamic in which the ruling party holds a majority in the Assembly.


bigroot@heraldcorp.com