On April 9, 2026, the political spotlight turned to Ansan Gap as Kim Nam-guk, a former lawmaker and current spokesperson for South Korea’s Democratic Party, officially declared his candidacy in the district’s upcoming by-election. The announcement, made at a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, set the stage for what many predict will be a fiercely contested race, featuring prominent figures from across the political spectrum.
Standing before reporters, Kim Nam-guk was resolute. “I stand here with a determined resolve to change the future of Ansan,” he began, outlining his vision and the experience he believes makes him the right choice for the job. According to KBS, Kim described himself as a ‘practical candidate’—someone who can bridge the party, the government, and the National Assembly to deliver tangible results for the people of Ansan. He underscored his hands-on experience, having served both as a secretary at the presidential office and as the party’s spokesperson, stating, “I have learned firsthand how to coordinate policy at the heart of national governance and achieve outcomes.”
Kim’s pitch was clear: Ansan faces complex challenges that require more than just local effort. He highlighted his plans to attract large corporations to the Ansan Free Economic Zone, extend the Sinansan Line to Jai Station, and integrate the underground development of the Ansan Line—projects he said would be difficult to accomplish without strong connections to the central government. “I will ensure that the driving force of the central government is harnessed to deliver real results for these projects,” he promised, as reported by NEWSIS.
The field in Ansan Gap is already crowded, with several high-profile names rumored or confirmed as potential candidates. Among them are Kim Yong, former vice head of the Democratic Research Institute; Jeon Hae-cheol, a former lawmaker; Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party; Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party; and Jang Sung-min, head of the People Power Party’s local chapter. As CBS NoCut News noted, this lineup sets the stage for a ‘big match’ that could draw national attention.
Kim Nam-guk, for his part, emphasized his readiness to hit the ground running. “If elected, I will start working from the very next day,” he told journalists, seeking to distinguish himself as a ‘proven worker’ who is “immediately deployable.” He went on, “I will be judged by my actions and results, not just words. My role is to connect the resources of the central government with Ansan’s budget and policies.”
His campaign is built on the idea of ‘performance-oriented politics,’ a theme he returned to repeatedly. “I have added experience in governance to my passion from six years ago, and built solid skills on top of my original intent,” Kim said, aiming to reassure voters that he is both tested and ready.
But the by-election isn’t just about local projects or individual resumes—it’s also a flashpoint for broader debates within and between parties. One such debate centers on whether the Democratic Party should even field a candidate in districts where a by-election was triggered by the party’s own fault. Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party and a potential rival, has argued for a ‘no nomination’ policy in such cases. Kim Nam-guk pushed back firmly, stating, “If the cause of the by-election was not confirmed at the time or could not have been discovered, then not nominating a candidate in all such cases would actually go against responsible politics.” He added, “If we don’t nominate, it could result in less qualified candidates winning.”
Kim was also asked about the possibility of running directly against Cho Kuk—a scenario complicated by their shared history in academia. Kim clarified, “I was not in Professor Cho’s guidance group during my doctoral studies at Seoul National University, so we do not have a direct mentor-mentee relationship.” Still, he acknowledged, “If Cho Kuk runs, it will be a difficult situation, but politics is about responsibility to citizens, not personal ties. If we must compete, it will be on ability.”
Factional strife is another recurring theme in South Korean party politics, often pitting supporters of different national leaders against each other. Yet, Kim Nam-guk has repeatedly denied the existence of such divisions—at least in Ansan. “There is no pro-Lee Jae-myung or anti-Lee Jae-myung factional conflict in Ansan,” he asserted. “We have avoided even using language that divides people into factions.” He maintained that the party’s nomination process would be based on comprehensive judgment, not internal rivalries, and that any decision regarding strategic nominations would be made collectively by party leadership.
Kim’s central message is that Ansan needs a candidate who is both ready and able to deliver from day one. “Ansan needs a proven worker who can immediately produce results from the day after the election,” he said, as quoted by NEWSIS. “I want to be the most capable tool to connect central resources to Ansan’s budget and policy.”
He also spoke to the broader political context, aligning his campaign with the goals of the Lee Jae-myung administration. “If I enter the National Assembly through this by-election, I will become a strong link ensuring that the macro-level success of the central government translates into concrete achievements for Ansan,” Kim declared. He pledged to unite the government, party, and local region to “complete the governance of the Lee Jae-myung administration.”
Kim Nam-guk’s background adds further dimension to his candidacy. He previously represented Ansan Danwon-gu Eul in the 21st National Assembly and served as the digital communication secretary in the presidential office after Lee Jae-myung became president. However, he resigned from that post following a controversy over appointment request text messages—a chapter he did not dwell on in his campaign launch, but which remains part of his public record.
As the campaign in Ansan Gap heats up, the contest is shaping up to be not only a local election but a microcosm of national debates about political responsibility, party unity, and the qualifications necessary to tackle complex regional issues. With candidates like Kim Nam-guk promising immediate action and practical solutions, and with big names from across the political spectrum likely to join the fray, voters in Ansan Gap will have much to consider when they head to the polls.
Ultimately, the race will test whether Kim’s message of readiness, experience, and results-driven politics resonates with a constituency eager for effective representation. With the by-election drawing near, all eyes are on Ansan—and on the candidates vying to shape its future.