Jangseong County Governor Race Shaken: Park Nowon Leads with 27.4%, Kim Hanjong at 24.9%

Korea Policy Research Institute Poll on Jangseong County Governor Race
Park Nowon Leads Among Voters in Their 20s and 30s
Kim Hanjong Maintains Strong Support Among Voters Aged 70 and Older
Park Nowon Also Ranks First in Democratic Party Candidate Suitability

In a recent poll conducted ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 next year, former Presidential Office administrator Park Nowon has drawn significant attention in the local political scene by surpassing incumbent County Governor Kim Hanjong to take the lead in support for the Jangseong County Governor race.

According to the results of a poll conducted by the Korea Policy Research Institute on December 26, targeting 515 men and women aged 18 and older residing in Jangseong County, former administrator Park led with 27.4% support. Governor Kim Hanjong followed with 24.9%, while former Jeonnam Provincial Council member Yoo Seongsu received 19.6%, former Mokpo Deputy Mayor So Youngho had 18.6%, and Kim Wanggeun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Committee of the Innovation Party for the Homeland, garnered 3.7%. The response rate was 13.19%, and the margin of error was ±4.3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

By gender, among male respondents, former administrator Park (26.0%) and Governor Kim (25.3%) were in a close race within the margin of error. However, among female respondents, Park led with 28.8%, ahead of Kim's 24.4%.

Support Rate Graph for Jangseong County Governor Candidates. Cited from the Korea Policy Research Institute Opinion Poll Results

By region, in District 1 (Jangseong-eup, Seosam-myeon, Bukil-myeon, Buk-i-myeon, Bukha-myeon), former administrator Park recorded 28.7%, significantly outpacing Governor Kim at 23.4%. In District 2 (Jinwon-myeon, Nam-myeon, Donghwa-myeon, Samseo-myeon, Samgye-myeon, Hwangryong-myeon), both candidates received around 26%, indicating a tight race.

By age group, former administrator Park showed a clear advantage among voters in their 20s and 30s. In contrast, among those aged 70 and above, Governor Kim maintained a relatively solid support base with 32.6%.

In a separate poll targeting only supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea, former administrator Park also ranked first in the "Democratic Party Candidate Suitability" survey with 28.4%. While the gap with Governor Kim (26.5%) was within the margin of error, it is noteworthy that Park leads in both overall support and party suitability, the two key indicators.

Regarding the results of this poll, local political observers predict that "if former administrator Park's upward momentum continues through to the main election, it could serve as a major variable in the overall structure of the Jangseong County Governor race."

Meanwhile, detailed information about this poll can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.