The People Power Party confirmed former Minister of Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik as its candidate for the Busan North Gap by-election [1].

The nomination sets the stage for a high-stakes three-way contest [3] in a key district. The result could signal shifts in regional political loyalty and the party's ability to maintain its stronghold in Busan against both established opposition and independent challengers.

Park, who previously served as a lawmaker during the 18th and 19th National Assembly terms [1], faces Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon [1]. The presence of three viable candidates complicates the path to victory and increases the likelihood of a split vote among conservative leaning voters.

Addressing the possibility of consolidating the conservative vote, Park said the chance of unification with Han Dong-hoon is "possibility zero" [1]. He said he remains confident in a victory regardless of whether the race remains a three-way contest or shifts to a two-way dynamic [1].

The party leadership has echoed this stance, emphasizing the political impossibility of a coalition with the independent candidate. Jang Dong-hyeok said that aligning with an individual who was expelled from the party is a fundamentally different issue than aligning with another political party [3].

This refusal to unify suggests that the People Power Party is prioritizing internal party discipline and legitimacy over a strategic alliance to secure the seat. By standing firm on Park's candidacy, the party is betting on his experience and official nomination to outweigh the appeal of an independent alternative.

“"The possibility of unification is zero."”

The refusal to unify with Han Dong-hoon indicates a deep rift within the conservative camp. By framing the issue as a matter of party discipline—specifically regarding Han's expulsion—the People Power Party is signaling that loyalty to the party apparatus is more important than the tactical advantage of a single conservative candidate. This gamble may risk splitting the vote, potentially providing an opening for the Democratic Party candidate in a district that typically favors conservatives.