[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Kim Yong-woo and Lee Sang-hyun] The by-election for the Governor of Gyeongnam Province has ultimately been canceled.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission decided not to hold a by-election for the vacant position of Governor following the loss of office by Governor Kim Kyung-soo.
The Gyeongnam Election Commission made this decision at a committee meeting held on the 27th. Accordingly, the next Governor of Gyeongnam will be determined during the nationwide local elections next June, and the newly elected governor's term will begin on July 1.
The acting governor will lead the Gyeongnam provincial government until June 30 of next year.
The Public Official Election Act stipulates that "if the period from the election day to the expiration of the term is less than one year, a by-election may not be held."
This year's by-election date was set for October 6, but if the by-election were held, the governor's term would be less than one year.
There has been no by-election for metropolitan local government heads with less than one year remaining in their term.
The Election Commission reportedly decided not to hold the by-election considering that the cost would exceed 30 billion won and the serious spread of COVID-19.
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