2026 Local Elections: Will the Democratic Party’s Strategy of Delaying the Special Prosecutor Bill Pay Off?

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Guests: Bae Jong-ho, president of the Korean Association of Political Commentators · Kim Cheol-hyun, specially appointed professor at Kyungil UniversityAs the June 3 local elections approach, several battleground races are shifting. The Democratic Party postponed action on a special prosecutor bill aimed at alleged fabricated prosecutions after Lee Jae-myung urged slowing the process, while the People Power Party has stepped up its criticism. We discuss these developments with Bae Jong-ho and Kim Cheol-hyun.Question 1First, a quick update before we get into the main discussion. Former President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom,” an operation intended to help ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, was suspended after one day. U.S. officials said talks with Iran were progressing and halted the operation. Washington also asked South Korea to participate, which sparked debate in Seoul. Do you expect this to end as announced?Question 2The Democratic Party held a party caucus, reaffirmed Rep. Han Byung-do as floor leader, and decided to delay action on the special prosecutor bill. Han’s stated priorities were winning the local elections and postponing the bill. Last week, the Blue House requested deliberation, and frontline candidates such as Lee Kwang-jae and Kim Boo-kyum urged restraint. Which factor do you think had the greatest influence?Question 3The People Power Party has launched daily attacks on the ruling party’s push for a special prosecutor to investigate alleged fabricated indictments. Are they trying to use this issue to shift public opinion?Question 4Candidate unification has become a more decisive factor in some races. Park Min-sik, the People Power Party’s confirmed candidate for Busan Buk-gap, brushed off repeated unification rumors as unrealistic. With Democratic candidate Ha Jung-woo now facing a series of setbacks — including controversy over a handshake and criticism for calling someone “oppa” — did the party conclude this is a winnable contest even without unification?Question 5People Power’s party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and floor leader Song Eon-seok toured Gyeonggi Province together. Lee Yong, the party’s candidate for Hanam Gap and a former bodyguard for ex-President Yoon, held a press conference in which he cried and apologized for his comments about martial law. How do you interpret these developments?Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23, Choi Byung-yoon (yoonique@yna.co.kr)