Jang: "We Will Fully Unfold the Blueprint for Regional Development"
Jo: "Change Through Policies Practiced in Action"
Jang Se-il, elected mayor of Yeonggwang County (left), and Jo Sang-rae, elected mayor of Gokseong County.
In the October 16 by-elections, candidate Jang Se-il was elected as the mayor of Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do, and candidate Jo Sang-rae was elected as the mayor of Gokseong County.
According to the Central Election Commission on the 16th, in the Yeonggwang County mayoral by-election, with a counting rate of 90.67% as of 11:30 PM, Democratic Party candidate Jang Se-il secured 11,612 votes (40.82%), surpassing Progressive Party candidate Lee Seok-ha, who received 8,732 votes (30.77%), effectively confirming his victory. Candidate Jang Hyun of the Party for National Innovation received 7,600 votes (26.78%), and independent candidate Oh Gi-won received 432 votes (1.52%).
Jang, who entered local politics by being elected as a member of the Yeonggwang County Council in the 2014 local elections, was later elected as a member of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly in the 2018 local elections, earning a reputation for addressing regional issues. Having served as both a county councilor and a provincial assembly member, he is expected to lead the county administration effectively due to his deep knowledge of the region.
Jang stated, “I will deeply cherish the generous support from the residents despite my shortcomings,” and added, “With a heavy sense of responsibility and mission, I will fully unfold a blueprint for the development of Yeonggwang County.”
In the Gokseong County mayoral by-election, Democratic Party candidate Jo Sang-rae was elected with 8,706 votes (55.26%). As of 10:15 PM, the counting was completed, with People Power Party candidate Choi Bong-ui receiving 549 votes (3.48%), Party for National Innovation candidate Park Woong-du receiving 5,648 votes (35.85%), and independent candidate Lee Seong-ro receiving 850 votes (5.39%).
Jo, born in Ogok-myeon, Gokseong, has served as a member of the Gokseong County Council, a member of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly, and president of the Gokseong County Sports Association. He had previously run twice for the mayoral position in local elections but was defeated, finally winning on his third attempt.
Jo said, “During the election period, I promised to bring change through policies that act rather than just words,” and added, “Having been chosen by the residents, I will immediately push forward a blueprint for the future.”
Meanwhile, the newly elected mayors of Yeonggwang and Gokseong counties will assume office immediately after receiving their certificates of election from the election commission. Their terms will last until June 30, 2026.
As of 8 PM on the day, the provisional voter turnout rates for Yeonggwang and Gokseong mayoral elections were 70.1% and 64.6%, respectively. The Yeonggwang mayoral by-election recorded a relatively high turnout. Out of 45,248 registered voters, 31,729 cast their votes. The high turnout is analyzed to be the result of intense party-level competition among the Democratic Party, Party for National Innovation, and Progressive Party over this stronghold in the Honam region.
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