Three-Term Limit Leaves Wando County Governor Seat Open... Nine Candidates Compete Fiercely

Highlighting Administrative and Political Experience to Win Voters
Unification, Organizational Strength, and Central Politics as Key Variables
Final Victory Hinges on Party Dynamics and Consolidating Support
"Nomination Race Equals Main Election" Signals Intense Strategic Battle

With the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 next year, an intense behind-the-scenes competition is already underway for the position of Wando County Governor in Jeonnam. As the incumbent governor, Shin Woochul, is unable to run again due to the three-term limit, the seat has become an open contest, prompting a series of preliminary candidates from the Democratic Party to begin preparing their campaigns.

So far, a total of nine individuals have either publicly declared their intention to run or are preparing to do so. The majority of these candidates are either affiliated with the Democratic Party or have a strong base within the party, leading to the perception that the party's nomination process will, in effect, determine the outcome of the election. This has set the stage for a fiercely competitive race within the party.

(From top left) Lee Cheol, former Jeonnam Provincial Council member; Kim Shin, former Wando County Council member; Ji Youngbae, former Jeonnam Provincial Director; Shin Uijun, Jeonnam Provincial Council member; Shin Younggyun, former Wando County Director; Woo Hongseop, former Jindo Deputy County Governor; Heo Gunghee, Wando County Council member; Kim Seguk, former Jeonnam Provincial Auditor; Cha Yongwoo, former Wando County Council member.

The most proactive candidate is Lee Cheol, Vice Chair of the Jeonnam Provincial Council. In the previous local election, he considered running for governor but ultimately ran for and was elected to the provincial council. This time, he has made his intention to run for governor clear and is reorganizing his campaign team. He is focusing on strengthening his organization by forming alliances with influential local council members and community leaders. Emphasizing his strong drive and ability to execute, he is appealing to voters by highlighting his "balanced leadership in administration and politics."

Kim Shin, former Wando County Council member, is making his fourth bid for county governor. Having served as a council member in the 4th and 5th terms and traveled extensively throughout the region, he continues to demonstrate a strong presence despite three previous defeats. He is known for his close communication with local residents and his approachable image. Widely regarded as the candidate with the most solid grassroots support in Wando, he is aiming for a comeback, leveraging his long-standing local base and extensive personal network.

Ji Youngbae, former Jeonnam Provincial Director, is a former bureaucrat with extensive experience in both the central government and metropolitan governments. Recently, he has been attending various local events without fail, working to transition from being a relatively unfamiliar face to a more recognizable candidate. On the campaign trail, he is gaining attention as a practical leader with real competitiveness in the general election and is being described as someone who is not swayed by others. He is rapidly emerging as a dark horse within the Democratic Party.

Shin Uijun, Jeonnam Provincial Council member, has not yet made an official declaration but is considered a strong contender. He is gaining high support from island voters by making the construction of bridges and balanced regional development his core pledges. However, his biggest challenge is how to manage his distance from the faction associated with Representative Park Jie-won during the last general election. Nevertheless, he is drawing attention for his firm policy messages on improving regional infrastructure.

Shin Younggyun, former Wando County Director of Economic and Industrial Affairs, previously ran for governor in 2022. Since then, he has remained active in the community as head of the Wando Social Community Center and has recently established a pro-Lee Jae-myung political network as head of the Wando branch of the Democratic Party's National Innovation Conference. His strengths include extensive practical administrative experience and strong connections within the party organization, making him a candidate with a balanced background in both politics and administration.

Woo Hongseop, former Jindo Deputy County Governor, was once rumored to be declining to run due to health issues, but he has recently been actively participating in local events, continuing his political activities. His strengths include a wealth of administrative experience gained from serving in key positions in Shinan County and Jeonnam Province. He plans to overcome the primary with a strategy of "quiet preparation and practical breakthrough."

In addition, Heo Gunghee, Wando County Council member; Kim Seguk, former Jeonnam Provincial Auditor; and Cha Yongwoo, former county council member, are also preparing to run. Heo, who previously served as council chair and is now a current local council member, emphasizes his understanding of local issues and on-the-ground experience. Kim, a former Board of Audit and Inspection official, is expected to enter the race leveraging his expertise in administrative audits. While Cha is said to be considering a run, he has not shown any significant activity so far.

With so many candidates, there is already talk of some candidates with overlapping local bases considering the possibility of unifying their campaigns. Behind-the-scenes moves are being made to form alliances either in opposition to Shin Woochul or across factional lines, suggesting a complex political calculus ahead. Another key variable is which candidate will receive the support of Shin Woochul's organization, which has built up its strength and bureaucratic network over 12 years. Analysts believe that if this organization backs a particular candidate, it could decisively impact the election outcome. However, a recent incident involving lawsuits and accusations against a senior county official over administrative matters has brought internal divisions within the county government to the forefront as another major variable.

Wando is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, to the extent that the saying "the Democratic primary is the real election" is common among local residents. As a result, candidates are now intensifying their strategies for the primary and working to consolidate their factions within the party. Some observers suggest that certain candidates are seeking indirect political support through their relationships with Representative Park Jie-won, but Park's camp has stated, "All candidates must compete in a fair primary," drawing a clear line.

Local political circles say, "The internal dynamics of the party and the flow of public sentiment will ultimately determine the winner," as all nine candidates are already engaged in a war of nerves. The Wando County Governor election is expected to hinge on the direction of public sentiment and internal party dynamics over the coming year.