Jeonbuk Local Leaders Preparing in Earnest to Run in Next Year's Local Elections?

Jeonbuk Governor, Iksan Mayor, and Wanju County Chief Resign and Replace Chiefs of Staff

From the left in the photo: Song Ha-jin, Governor of Jeonbuk; Jeong Heon-yul, Mayor of Iksan; Park Seong-il, County Governor of Wanju.

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Ahead of the 8th nationwide local elections scheduled for June next year, the candidacy status of local leaders in the Jeonbuk region is gradually becoming clearer.

Recently, as secretaries considered to be close aides have resigned or been replaced, some local leaders are believed to have officially started preparing for next year's election.

On the 19th, Go Seong-jae, secretary to the Jeonbuk Governor, submitted his resignation letter.

Secretary Go is classified as one of the closest aides who supported Governor Song Ha-jin at close range.

In the local political circles, the secretary's resignation is interpreted as a signal for Governor Song's bid for a third term.

This is because Secretary Go has supported Governor Song since his time as mayor of Jeonju and is recognized for his election experience as well as organizational management skills.

Regarding this, Secretary Go stated in an interview with local media, "My resignation was not due to the governor's decision to run or a recommendation to resign," but added, "As a close aide, I need time to prepare for the governor's future decisions, so I want to take some time for various adjustments," leaving room for interpretation.

Similarly, Jeong Heon-yul, mayor of Iksan, who is also running for a third term, replaced his secretary in mid-June.

Moreover, Mayor Jeong's sudden replacement of the secretary, who had worked closely with him for nearly three years since his re-election in 2018, has led to interpretations that this move is aimed at next year's local elections.

Park Seong-il, mayor of Wanju County, who is seeking a second term, also unexpectedly hired a new secretary right after this year's Lunar New Year holiday.

The new secretary is from the same hometown as Mayor Park and has over 30 years of public service experience.

Some interpret the replacement of the secretary within a year as a sign of preparing for a third-term candidacy.

Hwang In-hong, mayor of Muju County, who is also seeking re-election, hired a secretary with a public official background much earlier, in July last year.

The Muju County mayor's secretary resigned from public service and was then appointed as a special position secretary.

Additionally, there are frequent rumors that some other local leaders are also considering the secretary replacement card.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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