The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to hold primaries to select candidates for the mayor of Daejeon and the governor of Chungnam for the upcoming local elections scheduled for June 3. This decision comes in the context of the apparent failure of the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, highlighting the political complexities in the region. Kim I-soo, head of the nomination management committee, confirmed this during a briefing at the party's central headquarters, stating that all potential candidates for the Daejeon mayoral and Chungnam gubernatorial positions will participate in the primaries.

The candidates vying for the Daejeon mayor position include incumbent lawmakers and former mayors, indicating a competitive race. Specifically, the candidates for Daejeon mayor are Jin Jong-tae, Jang Chul-min, and Heo Tae-jeong, while the Chungnam governor candidates include former county mayor Na So-yeol, lawmaker Park Soo-hyun, and former governor Yang Seung-jo. Jo Seung-rae, the vice chair of the nomination committee, discussed the difficulties surrounding the integration of Daejeon and Chungnam and stated that electing a unified mayor by June 3 is practically challenging, requiring careful management of expectations.

Additionally, discussions are ongoing about candidates for the Daegu mayor and Gyeongbuk governor races. Jo mentioned that due to various opinions within and outside the party concerning these elections, a clear conclusion is expected by March. The situation suggests that while primaries for Daejeon and Chungnam are confirmed, the party's strategy in other regions remains uncertain. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is anticipated to announce his intentions regarding the Daegu mayoral post by the end of this month, further shaping the political landscape in this region prior to the elections.