'Indomitable Will' is the Secret to Kim In-ho, Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council's Election Victory

Cover of Election Campaign Material for Chairman Kim In-ho

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] "You never know the outcome of an election until you open the lid." This saying perfectly fits the results of the recent Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson election.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council held a plenary session on the 25th and elected Assemblyman Kim In-ho as the chairperson for the latter half of the 10th council. Out of 110 seated members, 105 attended, and in a secret ballot election, Kim won with 99 votes.

In the vice-chairperson election, Assemblyman Kim Ki-duk (Democratic Party of Korea, Mapo-gu 4) received 95 votes out of 100 participants, and Assemblyman Kim Kwang-soo (Democratic Party of Korea, Dobong-gu 2) received 95 votes out of 102 participants, both elected as vice-chairpersons.

Chairman Kim engaged in a fierce competition for the chairperson candidacy with Assemblyman Choi Woong-sik, who is also serving his third term. This was their second contest, following the first half of the 10th council chairperson election two years ago.

In this election, Chairman Kim defeated Assemblyman Choi by a large margin of 15 votes in the Democratic Party members' primary, securing 58 votes to Choi's 43. Until a few months ago, forecasts favored Choi’s victory. This expectation was widespread not only among Seoul council members but also among Seoul city officials and local government officials, as many second- and third-term assemblymen supported Choi.

However, the prediction overlooked the fact that among the 102 Democratic Party Seoul council members, 77 were first-term members. This election result is interpreted as a 'rebellion of the first-term members.'

◆Focused Strategy on First-Term Members Pays Off!

Chairman Kim, who moved to Seoul from Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, endured hardships to the extent that there was almost nothing he hadn't experienced. Demonstrating diligence and perseverance by completing a doctoral program at the University of Seoul through the qualification exam, he maintained his resilience throughout the election. Especially valuing loyalty, he built relationships based on cherishing bonds once formed, which helped him win the hearts of the assembly members.

Amid this, as the election intensified, he effectively persuaded individual members together with relatively well-regarded assemblymen such as Lee Eun-joo, Jeong Ji-gwon, Jeong Jin-cheol, and Kang Dong-gil.

Candidate Kim In-ho is reviewing the pledge books of each individual lawmaker.

Moreover, Chairman Kim showed dedication by securing all the members’ pledge books. It is evaluated that no previous chairperson candidate had ever obtained individual pledge books from members to assist in fulfilling their promises. Particularly, Kim’s solid career management, including serving as the Chair of the Planning and Economy Committee in the 8th council and as Vice-Chair in the 9th council, also appears to have contributed to his victory.

Chairman Kim promised ▲appointing support officers directly elected by members ▲increasing policy development funds, monthly allowances, and domestic and overseas travel expenses ▲activating on-site council operations to achieve members’ pledges.

The decisive factor in the final outcome was the argument for checks and balances. With Assemblyman Kim Jeong-tae from Yeongdeungpo-gu confirmed as the candidate for Chair of the Council Operations Committee, there was concern that if Assemblyman Choi became chairperson, it would lead to 'Yeongdeungpo domination,' sparking negative public opinion. Therefore, the argument for restraining Choi was put forward. Amid this trend, attention is focused on whether Chairman Kim will establish a field- and policy-centered council image and create a council trusted by Seoul citizens.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.