Gyeongnam Election Commission "No By-election for Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do"

Decision Made at Committee Meeting on the Morning of the 27th

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The Gyeongsangnam-do Election Commission decided at the committee meeting on the morning of the 27th not to hold a by-election for the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do in October.

Currently, Gyeongnam Province is managing the vacancy left by former Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court for the 'Druking comment manipulation case,' with Deputy Governor Ha Byung-pil acting as the interim authority.

There had been various debates about the effectiveness of holding a by-election, which would cost more than 30 billion won in taxes, to fill the remaining term of less than one year.

The People Power Party argued that "electing a stable governor is more beneficial to the residents than the costs incurred," while the Democratic Party and the Justice Party expressed the view that "the cost-effectiveness for a term of about eight months is not significant."

The Election Commission stated regarding this decision, "After discussions considering opinions to hold the election to guarantee the voting rights of Gyeongsangnam-do residents and minimize the administrative gap, the increased social burden of quarantine due to the resurgence of COVID-19, the safety of residents, the upcoming local elections in eight months, and the estimated 30.2 billion won management cost of the by-election, it was concluded not to hold the by-election."