2022 Sangdang by-election

2022 Sangdang by-election

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Nominee Chung Woo-taik Kim Shi-jean Ahn Chang-hyun Party PPP Independent Independent Popular vote 67,033 38,637 9,952 Percentage 56.92% 32.81% 8.45%   Nominee Park Jin-jae Party Independent Popular vote 2,127 Percentage 1.80%

MP before election Jeong Jeong-soon Democratic Elected MP TBD

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.

Nomination

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 a party colour of the Democratic Party that did not put 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]

Results

2022 by-election: Sangdang

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	People Power	Chung Woo-taik	67,033	56.92	+12.95
	Independent	Kim Shi-jean	38,637	32.81	N/A
	Independent	Ahn Chang-hyun	9,952	8.45	N/A
	Independent	Park Jin-jae	2,127	1.80	N/A
Majority			28,396	24.11	N/A
Turnout			121,806	74.77	+9.88
	People Power gain from Democratic		Swing	N/A

Previous result

2020 South Korean legislative election: Sangdang

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jeong Jeong-soon	45,707	47.09	−0.06
	United Future	Yoon Gap-geun	42,682	43.97	−5.29
	Justice	Kim Jong-dae	6,707	6.97	N/A
	Minsaeng	Kim Hong-bae	1,278	1.31	N/A
	National Revolutionary	Hong Kyung-hee	678	0.69	N/A
Majority			3,025	3.12	N/A
Turnout			98,093	64.89	+6.01
	Democratic gain from United Future		Swing	+5.23

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