Next Year's Muan County Governor Election, an Interesting Clash Between New and Old Forces

Former Lawmaker Jeong Yeong-deok, Eliminated Despite Leading Primary, Reenters Race

30s and 40s Local Council Members Announce Candidacies One After Another

From the left, Kim San, Muan County Governor; Kim Dae-hyun, Chairman of Muan County Council; Kang Byung-guk, Muan County Council Member; Jeong Young-deok, Former Provincial Council Member / Photo by Asia Economy

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] In the nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled for June 1 next year, the Muan County Governor election is expected to be fiercely contested, with incumbent Governor Kim San (64) seeking re-election and former and current local council members entering the race.

The candidates challenging incumbent Governor Kim San currently include independent Jeong Young-deok (58), former Jeonnam Provincial Council member, Kim Dae-hyun, Chairman of the Muan County Council, and Kang Byung-guk, Muan County Council member, who are preparing to run.

In the local political circles, it is anticipated that Kim San, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has a very solid position and has built a strong organization with his unique affinity, so there will likely be no major obstacles on his path to re-election.

However, some say that Kim's path to re-election is not so easy.

First, Jeong Young-deok, former Jeonnam Provincial Council member, is considered a strong contender against Governor Kim. Jeong resigned from the provincial council to run for governor in the June 13 local elections, won first place in the Democratic Party primary, but his nomination was canceled due to personal life controversies, leading him to run as an independent.

Following him, 40-year-old Kim Dae-hyun (46) recently solidified his decision to run for governor next year and has started recruiting party members, drawing attention.

Kim, elected as the chairman of the 8th Muan County Council's second half last year, was born in 1975 and holds the title of the youngest chairman in the history of the Muan County Council.

Alongside them, 30-something Kang Byung-guk, born in 1984 and 37 years old, has also thrown his hat into the ring. Kang recently confirmed his candidacy for governor and is expanding his campaign efforts.

Kang is showing confidence by presenting a changed image, as there is significant local backlash against established politicians.

Kim San, Kim Dae-hyun, and Kang Byung-guk, all members of the Democratic Party of Korea, are preparing for the party primary to be held after next year's presidential election.

Particularly, the biggest interest lies in whether Governor Kim San will defeat the younger candidates in their 30s and 40s in the primary and face a rematch with former council member Jeong Young-deok, and whether the youthful wave of candidates in their 30s and 40s will continue into the general election.

Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo ohj1358@asiae.co.kr

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