Minjoo, Progressive Parties to Select Ulsan Mayor Candidate via Polls

The Democratic Party of Korea (Minjoo Party) and the Progressive Party have agreed to decide their single candidate for the Ulsan mayoral election on June 3 through a 100% opinion poll method. The two parties held a joint press conference at the National Assembly on May 15, 2026, and unveiled an agreement for unification to rally for the June 3 local elections and respond to citizens' demands to 'cleanse the forces of rebellion' and 'innovate old local politics'.

This unification agreement extends beyond the Ulsan mayoral election to include five district mayor races in Ulsan, four Ulsan city council constituencies, and the mayoralty race for Yeongje-gu in Busan. The mayoral election will be decided by 100% opinion polls, while candidates for some district mayoral and city council positions were determined through agreement or opinion polls.

The two parties aim to complete the unification before the official campaign period begins on May 21, though it is anticipated that more time will be needed for the practical consultations regarding the Ulsan mayoral candidacy.

Through this agreement, the two parties plan to operate Ulsan City, its five districts/counties, and Busan's Yeongje-gu as 'citizen-sovereign local governments' that institutionalize citizen participation and cooperation after the June 3 elections, raising expectations for future local political innovation. This unification lays the groundwork for strengthening regional political solidarity in future local elections and concentrating on solving local issues. Voters will be able to choose candidates based on the policies and visions of the unified parties, and this cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on regional political development.