Among the candidates from each party running in the presidential primary, there is a notable inclusion of those with a background as mayors and governors of local governments. In some cases, a current Minister has resigned from their position to run. Under current law, it is not mandatory to resign in order to participate in the primary. Each individual’s decision about resignation varies depending on their political standing and circumstances.
According to the political sector on the 10th, under the current Public Official Election Act, regional heads must resign by 30 days prior to the presidential by-election date to be eligible to run. This means that presidential candidates must resign from their current positions by May 4.
Concerns have been raised in past presidential elections about the impact of public officials running in the presidential primaries on the operation of municipal and provincial administrations. However, this presidential election is expected to have less concern about 'administrative vacancy' because it is being conducted over a relatively short period.
In particular, for the People Power Party, the winners of the first primary will be announced on the 16th, hence many candidates are expected to return within a week. A source from the People Power Party noted, "It is especially short this time around to mention concerns about administrative vacancy," and added, "Considering the first and second cutoff, the so-called period during which positions will be left vacant is shorter."
Typically, mayors and governors participating in the presidential primary have utilized their annual leave. Lee Cheol-woo, the governor of Gyeongbuk, is also participating in the primary while on leave. There are voices expressing concern about the vacancy of the governorship due to the recent severe wildfires, but they are actively defending the position, stating that they will prioritize resolving the issue if they become president.
The governor defined the recent wildfires as 'a national disaster caused by climate change' when announcing his candidacy for the presidential election this morning. A source from the governor's camp stated, "If the damage exceeds a certain scale, it goes beyond the local government's capacity for resolution and is subject to central government jurisdiction," and added, "We emphasized this point while declaring the presidential candidacy."
Kim Dong-yeon, the governor of Gyeonggi Province, has also entered the presidential primary while retaining his position. A source from the Democratic Party commented, "Given the solid 'Eo Daemyeong' (the next president will be Lee Jae-myung) sentiment, there is no reason to adopt a brinkmanship strategy by resigning from the governorship," Kim declared his candidacy for president at Incheon Airport while on his way to the U.S. to respond to the Trump-induced 'tariff war.'
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also retains his position. Mayor Oh has previously resigned during a public referendum on free school meals and withdrew after one year. It is interpreted that he deemed it unnecessary to take risks given that he must navigate through the first and second cutoffs in the primary process, making it uncertain whether he will become the final candidate.
Mayor Oh stated that he would announce his candidacy for the presidential primary at a location symbolic of the 'yes and no policy' that is at the core of Seoul’s governance. A source from the ruling party remarked, "I think the current advisers are those who were around during his past tenure as mayor of Seoul," adding, "There is undoubtedly a lingering trauma from the free school meals issue."
On the other hand, there are candidates who have resigned from their positions to declare their candidacy. Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, was appointed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol last July. Given his age and previous experience as a three-term member of the National Assembly and two-term governor of Gyeonggi Province, there were opinions suggesting this was a 'political life extension.' In a situation where the appointer has been impeached, there is no reason to cling to the Minister position.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also announced that he would resign from his position upon declaring his candidacy. Another source from the ruling party stated, "Given that Mayor Hong has often said it is his last chance, his resignation was expected," adding, "The position of Daegu mayor is not directly related to central politics, is it?"