After the Presidential Election, the 'Wando Battle' Begins... Fierce Behind-the-Scenes Competition for Local Election Nominations

Wando Governorship Wide Open After Three-Term Limit
Flood of Preliminary Candidates
Lawsuits and Accusations Loom Among Rivals
"Yesterday's Ally Becomes Today's Opponent"

With Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party of Korea winning the 21st presidential election, the political scene in Wando, Jeonnam is quickly shifting toward preparations for the 8th nationwide local elections scheduled for June next year, even before the nationwide election fervor has subsided.

In particular, with Wando County Governor Shin Woo Cheol stepping down due to the three-term limit, nine candidates have already emerged for the Wando governorship, signaling a fierce competition ahead. However, as of now, there is no clear front-runner in local opinion polls, making party nomination the decisive variable that will likely determine the outcome.

A banner congratulating President Lee Jae Myung on his election is hanging at the intersection in Wando County, Jeonnam. Photo by Lee Jun Kyung

Within the Democratic Party, behind-the-scenes maneuvering is already in full swing. Local figures who were part of the election campaign committees or candidate support organizations for each party ahead of the presidential election have started rallying support early, targeting the upcoming local elections.

Those who had been preparing to run in the local elections before and after the presidential race have participated in party election committees to raise their political profiles. They accompanied Lee Jae Myung on his campaign or traveled through alleys and island regions to boost their name recognition. Political insiders interpret these moves as both efforts to increase public visibility and strategies to win favor with those who control party nominations.

One preliminary candidate stated, "The key issue is how much those who played a practical role in Lee Jae Myung's election will be evaluated in the nomination screening," adding, "Coordination between the central party and the local party committee will become a sensitive matter."

In Wando's political circles, there is analysis that this election will serve as a watershed moment for the reorganization of local power, going beyond simply electing a local government head. In particular, after Governor Shin's administration, the main evaluation criterion is expected to be who can present a new vision and leadership for the 'post-Wando' era. The prospective candidates include former county council chairs, former Jeonnam provincial assembly members, and current public officials. They are rallying support through local professional associations, hometown groups, and youth organizations, with some already setting up offices and effectively beginning their campaigns.

Furthermore, the scope of the election is expanding as multiple preliminary candidates are being mentioned for provincial and county council seats. There is cautious speculation that the race could devolve into a full-fledged "mud-slinging election," with lawsuits and accusations already being anticipated among some candidates.

A local political insider commented, "Those who joined forces during the presidential election are now competing against each other," adding, "As former allies become rivals, negative campaigning is bound to intensify. Until just before the nomination screening, a fierce 'information war' is also expected."

Wando County has traditionally been a stronghold for the Democratic Party of Korea, and the structure is such that the party primary and nomination effectively determine the final winner, rather than the general election. For this reason, conflicts, alliances, and realignments among preliminary candidates over nomination rights are expected to continue until the very end of the race.

Meanwhile, the 9th nationwide local elections will be held simultaneously across the country on June 3, 2026, with voters electing new officials for positions including Jeonnam Governor, Superintendent of Education, mayors, county governors, and both metropolitan and basic council members.