[Current Affairs Show] South Gyeongsang Governor... Cho Haejin Challenges Park Wansu, Will Kim Kyungsoo Run? [2026 Local Elections] ⑦

Governor Park Wansu in the Spotlight Over Reports of "Kim Keonhee Nomination Request"
Three-term Lawmaker Cho Haejin of the People Power Party Decides to Run
All Eyes on Whether Chairman Kim Kyungsoo Will Enter the Race

■ Broadcast: Asia Economy 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Monday to Friday, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: Park Sumin

Editor's NoteThe 9th local elections are scheduled for June 3 next year, just about nine months away. While it may seem like there is still a lot of time, that is not the case. Behind the scenes, the local election race has already begun. Next year's local elections are particularly noteworthy as they will take place just one year after the Lee Jaemyung administration came to power. Attention is focused on how the current distribution of metropolitan mayors and governors-11 for the People Power Party and 5 for the Democratic Party-might change, whether the Democratic Party will secure local power in addition to legislative and administrative power, and whether the People Power Party can defend Seoul. Asia Economy's 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' has reviewed the figures being discussed as candidates for metropolitan mayors and governors: ① Seoul Mayor ② Gyeonggi Governor ③ Busan Mayor ④ Incheon Mayor ⑤ South Chungcheong Governor ⑥ North Chungcheong Governor ⑦ South Gyeongsang Governor

The key point of interest in next year's June 3 South Gyeongsang gubernatorial election is whether the current governor, Park Wansu, will seek re-election. A member of the People Power Party, he has yet to make a clear statement on this matter. Recently, the emergence of the "Kim Keonhee nomination solicitation" controversy has become a variable. Former lawmaker Cho Haejin is attempting to seize the opportunity. On the Democratic Party side, attention is focused on whether Kim Kyungsoo, head of the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy and a former South Gyeongsang governor, will run for the position. As both parties are seen as evenly matched in South Gyeongsang, the pool of potential candidates is not large.

In the 2022 presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung received 37.38% of the vote in South Gyeongsang, while Yoon Sukyeol received 58.24%. Yoon led by more than 20 percentage points. The results of that year's local elections were similar. Park Wansu, the People Power Party candidate, won with 65.7% of the vote. The Democratic Party's Yang Moonseok received only 29.43%. The People Power Party also won in 14 of the basic local government districts, while the Democratic Party secured victory in only one, Namhae County. What about the 2024 National Assembly elections? Once again, the People Power Party achieved a landslide victory. Out of 16 districts in South Gyeongsang, the People Power Party won 13, while the Democratic Party won 3.

In the most recent presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung received 38.23%, while People Power Party candidate Kim Moonsoo received 52.03%. Lee Junseok of the Reform Party received 8.44%. Despite the events of martial law and impeachment, the results are not significantly different from the 2022 presidential election. Based solely on recent election outcomes, it is difficult to say that public sentiment has shifted dramatically since 2022. Even though the upcoming election will be held just one year after the administration took office, this is why the Democratic Party cannot take the South Gyeongsang gubernatorial race lightly.

The Democratic Party Hopes to Recreate 2018, When It Won the Governorship and Seven Local Districts in South Gyeongsang

Within the Democratic Party, which dreams of a "Return to 2018" by winning the governorship and seven basic local government districts, attention is focused on whether Kim Kyungsoo, head of the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy, will run. Known as "Roh Moo-hyun's last secretary," he was elected South Gyeongsang governor in 2018, but after being sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court in 2021 for the "Druking comment manipulation incident," he was later pardoned and reinstated. Under the Lee Jaemyung administration, he was appointed to a minister-level post as head of the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy. Some observers say, "His candidacy is a given," treating his run as a foregone conclusion. Because it is believed that a well-known figure needs to run in order to create momentum for Democratic Party candidates in the basic local government races, whether Kim runs is expected to significantly influence the overall Democratic Party campaign in South Gyeongsang.

Four-term lawmaker Min Hongcheol of the Democratic Party (Gimhae Gap) is also being mentioned. He stated, "I have worked for the development of South Gyeongsang and its residents, regardless of party affiliation," but has not yet made a clear statement about running for governor. It remains to be seen what path Min will take in the future.

Who is being discussed as a candidate for the People Power Party? First and foremost, incumbent governor Park Wansu cannot be left out, given his advantage as the sitting governor and his administrative experience.

However, a recent development has emerged. KBS reported that Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, allegedly contacted Governor Park and his wife during the 2024 National Assembly elections to request the nomination of former prosecutor Kim Sangmin as the People Power Party candidate for Changwon Uichang. This led to speculation that "an investigation might be launched" and "legal risks may arise."

Governor Park refuted these claims, stating, "They are completely untrue." At a press conference held at the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office on the 1st, he said, "Allegations of nomination interference or solicitation are groundless. I have never done anything I would be ashamed of or that would make me unable to face the residents. There is an ongoing investigation regarding the nomination allegations, but nothing has come out yet. Some media outlets are reporting on this politically as if there is something there. The truth will be revealed once the results are out," he emphasized. Whether Governor Park is implicated is expected to be a key variable in next year's South Gyeongsang gubernatorial election.

Former Lawmaker Cho Haejin Challenges Incumbent Governor Park Wansu

In this context, former lawmaker Cho Haejin (three-term), who is the People Power Party's Gimhae Eul district chair, has decided to run for South Gyeongsang governor. In a phone interview with 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show,' Cho said, "I am working to build a network by meeting key figures in the South Gyeongsang region." Having served as chair of the National Assembly's Education Committee and Intelligence Committee, Cho is considered a rational conservative. His basic plan is to create a "second capital region" encompassing South Gyeongsang, Busan, and Ulsan to achieve growth and balanced development. With his extensive political experience and broad network in the capital, Cho's candidacy is narrowing the People Power Party's nomination race to a showdown between Park Wansu and Cho Haejin.

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Fierce Policy Competition Between the Parties Serves as a Prelude to the Main Election

The National Policy Planning Committee has pledged to establish a wide-area transportation network for each mega-region and to adjust the ratio of national to local taxes to 7:3. These are initiatives that Chairman Kim has long advocated. The "mega-city vision for Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang" is already widely known. In contrast, Governor Park Wansu appears to be pursuing re-election by promoting the administrative integration of South Gyeongsang and Busan. The policy moves of both men can already be seen as a prelude to next year's election.