Democratic Party Move by Andong Mayor, Seat of Gyeongbuk Provincial Government... Yulim Cultural Area 'Stirred'

Mayor Kwon Young-se Visits Andong, Meets Former Lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum to Declare Party Entry
Controversy Intensifies Over Conservative 3-Term Local Leader Joining Democratic Party

On February 8th, the first full moon day of the lunar new year, Kwon Young-se, mayor of Andong City, performed a Dangje ritual in front of the sacred tree at Ungbu Park in Andong. Since ancient times, Andong has held a unique ceremonial ritual called Dangje at the sacred tree whenever the Andong magistrate or county governor assumes or leaves office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] The news of Mayor Kwon Young-se of Andong joining the Democratic Party has stirred the Andong region, the center of Confucian culture.

There is growing criticism labeling it as a "political betrayal" and "opportunism" that the head of a basic local government in the provincial capital, traditionally a stronghold of the conservative camp, has officially declared his intention to switch party affiliation after meeting a candidate running for the ruling party's leadership election.

On the other hand, there is also considerable public support describing it as a "desperate measure by an independent local government head" and "a decision by a three-term local leader for regional development," and the controversy is expected to intensify until the actual time of joining the party.

According to the Democratic Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Party, Mayor Kwon reaffirmed his intention to join the Democratic Party during a meeting with former Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Boo-kyum, who visited the provincial party on the 19th. On that day, former Minister Kim visited the Democratic Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Party as a candidate for the party leadership election.

Mayor Kwon first officially expressed his intention to join the Democratic Party during the general election process in April. At that time, his remarks were interpreted as open support for the Democratic Party candidate, causing a significant stir in the local community.

Since then, Mayor Kwon has reportedly expressed his willingness to join the ruling party whenever possible, stating that he feels limitations as an independent local government head in securing national budget and other resources, and that he aims to resolve local issues by joining the ruling party.

Regarding Mayor Kwon's declaration on the 19th, former Minister Kim Boo-kyum responded, "I thank Mayor Kwon for making such a significant decision," and added, "Mayor Kwon's joining will be an opportunity to break through the wall of the Yeongnam region's conservative dominance." Mayor Kwon plans to join before the party convention and will consult with Heo Dae-man, chairman of the Democratic Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Party.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kwon Young-se was elected in the 2010 local elections during the 5th term of direct elections as a candidate from the then Grand National Party after serving as Deputy Mayor of Daegu City. He was re-elected in 2014, but despite being excluded from the party nomination in 2018, he ran as an independent and succeeded in winning a third term.

In the 2018 election, Mayor Kwon received 31,390 votes (34.15%), Democratic Party candidate Lee Sam-geol received 29,173 votes (31.74%), and Liberty Korea Party candidate Kwon Ki-chang received 27,806 votes (30.25%). The three candidates each garnered support in the 30% range, resulting in an extremely close race, which has since raised concerns that regional discord has not yet healed.

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