The 'Blue Wave' in Yongsan District Council Chair Election: Why Did a First-Term Defeat a Four-Term?

Kukhim First-Term Lawmaker Kim Seong-cheol Defeats Four-Term Lawmaker Jang Jeong-ho, Who Switched from Democratic Party to Kukhim, in Unexpected Victory

An unexpected development occurred during the election process for the second half chairman of the Yongsan District Council, drawing attention.

On the 28th, the Yongsan District Council held a vote to elect the chairman for the second half of the term. Two candidates from the People Power Party, Jang Jeong-ho (4-term) and Kim Seong-cheol (first-term), ran, resulting in an outcome different from initial expectations.

In particular, Jang Jeong-ho, originally from Huam-dong and Yongsan 2-ga-dong, had recently left the Democratic Party and changed his affiliation to the People Power Party, making him the likely candidate for the second half chairman.

With Jang’s party switch, the composition of the Yongsan District Council became 7 members from the People Power Party and 6 from the Democratic Party, giving the People Power Party the majority and making Jang’s election appear almost certain.

However, the vote results showed Kim Seong-cheol, from Dongbu Ichon-dong, receiving 7 votes, and Jang Jeong-ho receiving 6 votes, leading to Kim’s election as the second half chairman.

This is interpreted as the Democratic Party actively supporting Kim Seong-cheol in reaction to Jang’s party change.

Additionally, Baek Jun-seok from the Democratic Party was elected as vice chairman.

Meanwhile, Lee In-ho was elected as the chair of the Steering Committee, Ham Dae-geon as the chair of the Administration and Construction Committee, and Kim Song-hwan as the chair of the Welfare and Urban Committee.