The Democratic Party of Korea has made a significant move by nominating former presidential chief of staff Woo Sang-ho as its sole candidate for the upcoming local elections in Gangwon province. This decision marks the Democratic Party's first candidate nomination for the elections, largely due to the concession made by former Gangwon governor Lee Kwang-jae, which allowed Woo to proceed directly to the general election without a party primary.

Kim Eui-soo, chairman of the Democratic Party's nomination management committee, highlighted Woo's extensive political experience and his commitment to democracy since the June 1987 uprising. He emphasized that Woo's capabilities align well with the needs of Gangwon citizens, suggesting that his leadership could effectively contribute to regional governance. Woo took to social media to express the significance of the upcoming local elections as a crucial point for the success of President Lee Jae-myung's administration and emphasized his intent to connect deeply with Gangwon residents to earn their support.

Recent opinion polls suggest that Woo is leading against incumbent governor Kim Jin-tae of the National Power Party, even though Gangwon is traditionally a conservative stronghold. Soaring approval ratings for President Lee, currently at approximately 60%, coupled with Woo's recognition as the inaugural chief of staff for Lee's administration could overshadow Kim's incumbency. The upcoming elections will therefore be incredibly significant in terms of regional power dynamics, especially given the Democratic Party's strategic focus on the pivotal importance of leadership selection in Gangwon and the representation of governmental effectiveness.