What Will Happen to the Gyeongnam Governor Position After Kim Kyung-soo's Departure?

It’s Optional... Gyeongnam Election Commission to Decide on By-election on 27th

Remaining Term and Election Costs Burden Hundreds of Billions, Vacancies Likely Until Local Elections

People Power Party: “Securing Gyeongnam Province Budget Mor

Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo is speaking in front of Changwon Prison before incarceration on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Kim Yong-woo and Lee Sang-hyun] What will happen to the vacant position of Governor of Gyeongnam Province, left empty due to the ‘Druking incident’?

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo was re-incarcerated on the 26th, and the Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission is scheduled to decide on whether to hold a by-election on the 27th, the following day.

Currently, since a by-election is not required if the remaining term of a local government head is less than one year, it is highly likely that the position will remain vacant under an acting governor system until the local elections in June next year.

This is because there is a question of whether it is necessary to elect a local government head who would serve only a 7 to 8-month term, despite the enormous election cost exceeding 34 billion KRW.

However, according to the Public Official Election Act, by-elections or re-elections for local government heads that are confirmed to be held between March 1 and August 31 are to be conducted on the first Wednesday of October, so nothing has been finalized yet.

If an election is held, the newly elected governor in October would serve a term of about 8 months until June next year and then face the local elections again.

Voices calling for a by-election for the Gyeongnam Governor to ensure smooth provincial administration are emerging mainly from opposition parties, but there is also strong opposition due to the election cost of at least 34 billion KRW.

Each party’s calculation differs based on their own gains and losses.

The People Power Party’s Gyeongnam Provincial Party immediately issued a statement after former Governor Kim was re-incarcerated, insisting that a by-election must be held on October 6 to fill the administrative gap.

The People Power Party emphasized, “If the position of Gyeongnam Governor remains vacant until the local elections on June 30 next year, an administrative vacuum will occur,” and “It is difficult for an acting governor system to propose or implement new policies for the residents, and it is questionable whether budget allocation for major Gyeongnam projects will be properly secured at the regular National Assembly session this October.”

The argument is that filling the administrative gap and normalizing governance outweighs the election costs and benefits the residents more.

Former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Lee Ju-young, who has already declared his candidacy, urged the by-election, saying, “This regular National Assembly session ahead of next year’s presidential and local elections will inevitably become a political session,” and “It is obvious that securing next year’s budget will be difficult under an acting governor system.”

The main opposition party is focusing on a swift ‘recapture’ of Gyeongnam Province.

Current People Power Party lawmakers are quietly observing the situation, waiting for the ‘horse-race’ to unfold.

Among those mentioned are three-term lawmakers Yoon Young-seok (Yangsan Gap) and Cho Hae-jin (Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, Changnyeong), and two-term lawmakers Yoon Han-hong (Changwon Masanhweon) and Park Wan-soo (Changwon Uichang).

Former four-term lawmaker Kim Jae-kyung from the Jinju area is also reportedly monitoring the situation.

Another opposition candidate possibility is Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk, who previously served as a member of the 20th National Assembly representing Changwon Seongsan District.

However, the Justice Party has stated that it is appropriate not to hold a by-election due to the short remaining term compared to the election costs following former Governor Kim’s removal from office.

The ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, has not made an official statement, saying, “Now is not the time to discuss such matters.”

They are facing the reality that it is difficult to field a ruling party figure with as much weight as former Governor Kim in Gyeongnam at this moment.

There are former and current lawmakers and local government heads mentioned as potential candidates who must protect Gyeongnam Province.

Among them are three-term incumbent Min Hong-chul (Gimhae Gap), and two-term lawmakers Kim Jeong-ho (Gimhae Eul) and Kim Du-kwan (Yangsan Eul).

Current Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-moo, former Mayor Gong Min-bae, and former Gyeongnam Provincial Government Acting Governor Han Kyung-ho are also ‘dark horses’ aiming for the top position in Gyeongnam Province.

So far, there has never been a case where an election was held when a local government head’s vacancy occurred with less than one year remaining in the term.

Whether the by-election is confirmed on the 27th or not, the ‘Gyeongnam Governor’ election scene has already begun to stir.