Gyeongnam Governor Race: Candidates in Final All-Out Campaign Push

On May 31st, just three days before the June 3rd local elections, Democratic Party candidate Kim Kyoung-soo and People Power Party candidate Park Wan-soo, running for Gyeongnam Provincial Governor, held their final rallies in key areas including Changwon and Gimhae. Both candidates made appeals for support in these crucial districts, which are expected to determine the outcome of the election, engaging in a final, all-out campaign battle.

Changwon and Gimhae, comprising 47% of the total Gyeongnam electorate, are considered the core battlegrounds for the Gyeongnam gubernatorial race. Both candidates attempted to consolidate their support in the final stretch by concentrating their campaign activities in these regions.

Separately, the Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission has referred nine individuals, including an official from Park Wan-soo's campaign camp, to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office on charges of creating and distributing an 'AI deepfake' video intended to defame an opposition candidate. Park's campaign stated that the matter was unrelated to their camp. This referral and the associated allegations could influence voters' decisions and potentially intensify negative campaigning between the candidates.