Gyeongbuk Candidate Registration Closes for June 3rd Local Elections

Candidate registration for the June 3rd local elections has closed, setting the stage for rematches between previous rivals and contests between incumbent and former local government leaders across Gyeongbuk province.

In the Andong mayoral race, Lee Sam-geol of the Democratic Party and incumbent Mayor Kwon Ki-chang of the People Power Party will compete again, just as they did in the 2018 election. Both candidates ran under the nominations of the Democratic Party and the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor to the People Power Party) respectively, but were defeated by an independent candidate. Kwon Ki-chang later won the 2022 Andong mayoral election under the People Power Party nomination and is now seeking a second term.

The Gyeongbuk provincial governor election will feature a rematch after eight years between incumbent Governor Lee Cheol-woo of the People Power Party and Oh Jung-gi of the Democratic Party.

In the Gumi mayoral election, incumbent Mayor Kim Jang-ho will face former Mayor Jang Se-yong, whom Kim defeated four years ago. For the Gyeongsan mayoral election, incumbent Mayor Cho Hyun-il of the People Power Party will compete against former Mayor Choi Byung-gook, running as an independent. In the Ulleung County chief election, incumbent Chief Nam Han-kwon will face Kim Byung-soo, a former county chief who secured the People Power Party nomination.