[6·3 Local Elections] ⑮Will a Special Mayor Emerge from the Democratic Party Stronghold of Gwangju-Jeonnam?

A 25 Trillion Won Budget, Third Only to Seoul and Gyeonggi
Democratic Party's Kim Youngrok Seeks a Third Term
Lee Gaeho, Shin Jeonghun, and Joo Cheolhyeon Among Potential Candidates
Kim Hwajin of People Power Party and Park Pilsoon of Innovation Party Also in the Race

As discussions on the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam accelerate, there is growing interest in who will become the first Special Mayor of Gwangju-Jeonnam. The head of the integrated entity will be granted a massive budget of approximately 25 trillion won, the third largest in the country after Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, along with significant authority.

◇ Election Features = The Honam region is a political stronghold for the Democratic Party and its affiliated parties. Key issues in this election include: the rapid progress of the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok's bid for a third term, and whether the Democratic Party will strategically nominate a heavyweight politician. The special law for Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City is scheduled to be proposed at the end of this month, in consideration of the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, with the goal of passing the National Assembly plenary session by the end of February.

◇ Potential Candidates = Within the Democratic Party, attention is focused on whether Governor Kim Youngrok will succeed in winning a third term. Other potential candidates from the same party include four-term lawmaker Lee Gaeho (representing Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong in Jeonnam), three-term lawmaker Shin Jeonghun (representing Naju and Hwasun in Jeonnam), and two-term lawmaker Joo Cheolhyeon (representing Yeosu-gap in Jeonnam). There is also the possibility that a prominent figure from the Blue House or a central government ministry could be strategically nominated. On the opposition side, Kim Hwajin, head of the Jeonnam Provincial Committee for the People Power Party, and Park Pilsoon, head of the Gwangyang Regional Committee for the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, are being mentioned as potential candidates.

◇ Previous Elections = Since the restoration of local autonomy, there have been a total of nine Jeonnam gubernatorial elections, including eight regular elections and one by-election, all of which were won by Democratic Party-affiliated candidates. In the 6th local elections, former Prime Minister Lee Nakyon, who was considered a presidential candidate at the time, won with a vote share of 77.96%.

◇ Recent Poll Trends = In a recent poll on the most suitable candidate for the head of the integrated Gwangju-Jeonnam entity, Governor Kim received the highest level of support. According to a poll conducted by Hangil Research on January 17-18 among 1,008 men and women aged 18 or older residing in Jeonnam, Kim recorded 21.7%. Joo Cheolhyeon received 13.9%, Shin Jeonghun 12.8%, Min Hyeongbae 12.0%, Lee Gaeho 9.0%, and Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong 4.4%. Support for candidates varied depending on respondents' stance on the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration. Among those who supported integration, 29.9% favored Governor Kim, while among those opposed to integration, Joo Cheolhyeon led with 30.4%.

<Poll Details>

Conducted by Hangil Research at the request of Polinews on January 17-18 among 1,008 men and women aged 18 or older residing in Jeonnam. The poll has a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. It was conducted via 100% wireless (virtual number) ARS. For more information, refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.