'Nation's Largest Battleground' Camp Filled with Central Party Officials
No Alternatives for Local Issues like Hanbit Nuclear Plant and RE-100
Voter Turnout and Swing Voters Likely to Decide Election Outcome
The by-election for the mayor of Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do, scheduled for the 16th, is increasingly likely to become a "barometer of public sentiment in Honam," leading to a large influx of central party officials into each campaign even before the official election campaign begins. This small local mayoral election has heated up to an extent reminiscent of a presidential election atmosphere.
Triggered by former Mayor Kang Jong-man's violation of election laws, this election has intensified into a fierce contest among the Democratic Party, the Innovation Party led by Jo Guk, and the Progressive Party, escalating the tension.
The Yeonggwang mayoral by-election officially starts its campaign on the 3rd. Early voting will take place over two days on the 11th and 12th, with the main voting day on the 16th. Candidates vying for the mayoral position, which has about one year and six months remaining, include Democratic Party's Jang Se-il, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member; Innovation Party's Jang Hyun, former Honam University professor; Progressive Party's Lee Seok-ha, Yeonggwang County regional chairman; and independent candidate Oh Ki-won, chairman of the Nan Alliance.
The election campaign for the re-election of the Yeonggwang County Governor in Jeollanam-do began in earnest three days ago. Around 12:05 AM, election banners for each candidate were posted around the Hakjeong-ri intersection in Yeonggwang-eup. [Photo by Kim Geonwan yacht@]
In the early stages of the election, according to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website and other sources, the race maintained a structure of two strong candidates and one moderate and one weak candidate, with the Democratic Party and Innovation Party leading. However, around the candidate registration days on September 26-27, the Progressive Party made significant gains, shifting the race to three strong candidates and one weak. A poll conducted by Realmeter on September 29-30, commissioned by Media Tribune, surveying 501 men and women aged 18 and over residing in Yeonggwang County, showed candidate support as follows: Democratic Party's Jang Se-il at 32.5%, Innovation Party's Jang Hyun at 30.9%, and Progressive Party's Lee Seok-ha at 30.1%.
Successive visits to Yeonggwang by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and Innovation Party leader Jo Guk, who has taken up residence there, have elevated the mayoral by-election to a national level, drawing the attention of the entire country. Furthermore, with the Progressive Party's all-out effort, the three candidates from the Democratic, Innovation, and Progressive parties have become evenly matched, making the election outcome unpredictable.
Yeonggwang Residents 'Cool'... Candidates Fail to Present Policy Alternatives on Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 & 2 Life Extension and RE-100
On the 2nd, one day before the official campaign begins, the reaction of Yeonggwang residents was not particularly enthusiastic or welcoming. Residents uniformly criticized the candidates from each party for lacking the qualifications, character, and morality expected of a mayoral candidate, placing them under scrutiny in terms of local sentiment. The cash-like pledges made by the candidates also became a subject of controversy. Residents lamented that they were forced to choose among these candidates.
Moreover, the candidates failed to present clear policy alternatives on urgent local issues such as the life extension of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 and power projects related to RE-100, drawing unanimous complaints.
A resident (57, female, restaurant owner in Yeonggwang-eup) who carefully watched the first TV debate on the 1st said, "There are suspicions of irregular permits for wind power, solar power, SRF, and other schemes at the nuclear plant, as well as involvement in various construction-related interests. I doubt how the county administration will be managed during the remaining term." She added with a bitter expression, "I worry because there are no suitable candidates who can thoroughly understand the sentiments of Yeonggwang residents."
A voter who operates a taxi in the town said, "They say they will give 1 to 1.2 million won per resident, but where will such funds come from? Using taxpayers' money to mislead people is unacceptable; candidates should not speak so easily." He added, "My nephew works at the county office, but I am quite worried in case he is assigned to budget-related tasks."
According to Statistics Korea as of May this year, Yeonggwang County's financial independence ratio is 11.7%, ranking 163rd out of 229 basic local governments.
Election Support from Each Party in Full Swing... "Campaign Camps Already Filled with Central Party Officials."
On the 2nd, each party showed intense efforts to capture public sentiment. Campaign camps were filled with party officials dispatched from the central parties. This election resembles a mini presidential election.
First, the Democratic Party had Representative Lee Gae-ho, along with elected local council members, appoint election managers for towns and townships, and sought out neighborhood (dong) managers to solidify grassroots support. They soothed party sentiment disrupted during the primary and supported candidate Jang Se-il. Democratic Party lawmakers from Yeonggwang, including Jo In-cheol, Jeong Jin-wook, and Jang Jong-tae, canvassed local connections on foot. They promoted the idea of judging the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and appealed for support for their party's mayoral candidate. Notably, Park No-won, who ran in the April general election primary, was seen daily meeting supporters to back Jang Se-il.
The Innovation Party operated a "Ggukdabang" caf? named after leader Jo Guk in Yeonggwang County following a morning event in Gokseong County, Jeonnam. They personally served tea to visitors from the same party while explaining the party's election pledges and criticizing the current government's poor governance. Additionally, the Innovation Party's Jeonnam Provincial Party engaged in a sharp confrontation with the Democratic Party, announcing that they had filed a police complaint against Democratic Party Supreme Council member and Jeonnam Provincial Party Chairman Joo Cheol-hyun for alleged false statements under the Public Official Election Act and defamation under criminal law.
The Progressive Party, with support from the central party leadership and party members nationwide, promoted a "sincere election," providing street support and helping with rural labor daily. On this day, candidate Lee Seok-ha held a meeting with about 100 village chiefs in Yeonggwang, along with party leader Kim Jae-yeon and key party officials, to listen to local livelihood issues.
An elder in the local political scene said, "This election has expanded because a candidate who was formerly with the Democratic Party left during the primary and joined the Innovation Party. Voter turnout and the movement of undecided voters will determine the election."
Candidates for the October 16 Yeonggwang County Governor by-election. From the left, Jang Se-il (Democratic Party), Jang Hyun (Innovation Party), Lee Seok-ha (Progressive Party), Oh Ki-won (Independent). [Photo by Central Election Commission]
Yeonggwang Mayoral By-election Becomes the Nation's 'Hottest Battleground'... Strong Criticism of Current Administration Expected
On the 3rd, the first day of official campaigning for the Yeonggwang mayoral by-election in Jeollanam-do, a fierce contest among the parties is expected. From the first day’s street rallies, a showdown will take place. Leaders and key officials from the Democratic Party, Innovation Party, and Progressive Party will gather in full force to capture the votes of Yeonggwang residents. These candidates are expected to collectively criticize the current administration's incompetence and arrogance.
The election victory kickoff ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m. for the Democratic Party, 9:30 a.m. for the Innovation Party, and 8:30 a.m. for the Progressive Party. At the Namcheon Intersection (formerly Jeonmaecheong Intersection) plaza, which connects Yeonggwang County Office to the terminal, the Democratic Party's Jang Se-il and Innovation Party's Jang Hyun will engage in a fiery large-scale street rally battle.
At around 10 a.m., Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to personally campaign. He will appeal for support for Democratic Party candidate Jang Se-il, calling it a golden opportunity to awaken the public to the people's wrath against a government that has ignored the nation's stern warning. Support will also come from Supreme Council member Han Jun-ho, Jeonnam Provincial Party Chairman Joo Cheol-hyun, election commander Park Ji-won, Representative Lee Gae-ho, and Representative Shin Jeong-hoon.
The Innovation Party is expected to emphasize livelihood policy pledges and candidate Jang Hyun's integrity, urging voters to cast their ballots to restore community trust and confidence in the county. Leader Jo Guk, who has already moved to Yeonggwang for a month-long stay, and Yeonggwang native Representative Seo Wang-jin, along with other key party officials, will make a full appearance.
The Progressive Party will also hold a street rally supporting candidate Lee Seok-ha at Yeonggwang Terminal, with party leader Kim Jae-yeon, Representatives Yoon Jong-ho and Jeon Jong-deok, and nationwide party members who have gathered in Yeonggwang for volunteer activities over the past month.
Independent candidate Oh Ki-won will begin campaigning immediately without a kickoff ceremony.
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