Cheongju's Heungdeok District Redrawn 49 Days Before Election, Expanding to 3 Constituencies

With 49 days left until the June 13 local elections, the National Assembly amended election laws, leading to changes in some electoral districts in Chungbuk province, causing confusion for candidates and voters.

The amendment increases the total number of seats in the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Council by three (from 35 to 38), and also adds one proportional representation seat (from 4 to 5). Under the revised law, the number of local councilors in Cheongju's Heungdeok District will increase by one (from 4 to 5), and in Jecheon by one (from 2 to 3). Okcheon will maintain its current two seats.

Notably, Cheongju's Heungdeok District will add two city council seats due to the local assembly member Lee Yeon-hee, potentially increasing the number of local councilors to four. The district has also been included as a pilot area for a larger electoral district system (up to 5 members per district), leading to the redrawing of two existing local constituencies (Sa, Ah) into three (Sa, Ah, Ja).

The redrawing of electoral districts 46 days before the local elections has resulted in financial damage, as promotional materials like banners prepared by candidates for the old constituencies have become useless. Confusion has also mounted as the nomination schedule has been delayed.

The Chungcheongbuk-do Electoral District Delimitation Committee will finalize the delimitation of local council electoral districts after a period of public consultation until the 22nd. The Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Council will convene a one-day extraordinary session on the 28th to process the relevant ordinances.