Next Year's Jeonbuk Local Elections 'Signs of Overheating Already'

Published 27 Jul.2021 17:11(KST)

Noise in regions like Jeonju, Gunsan, and Wanju where Democratic Party primary victories directly lead to election wins

From the top left clockwise: Jeonju City Hall, Gunsan City Hall, Jeongeup City Hall, Jangsu County Office, Sunchang County Office, Wanju County Office panorama

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] As the local elections in June next year approach, controversies continue unabated in some cities and counties of Jeonbuk.

In particular, in regions where winning the Democratic Party primary is considered almost equivalent to winning the general election, securing party members and mudslinging among candidates are rampant, raising concerns.

Currently, among the governor of Jeonbuk and the heads of 14 cities and counties in Jeonbuk, 11 are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

The political landscape of Jeonbuk is expected to result in a landslide victory for the Democratic Party in next year’s local elections, barring any special variables.

In this situation, the election battle has already ignited mainly in regions where winning the Democratic Party primary held 1 to 2 months before the local elections is tantamount to winning the election.

Jeonju City, Gunsan City, Jeongeup City, Wanju County, Sunchang County, and Jangsu County are representative examples.

In these areas, the recruitment of party members is becoming overheated.

The exercise date for party rights for the Democratic Party’s local election candidate nomination is March 1 next year, and party membership must be obtained by August 31 this year, six months prior, to qualify as a party member with voting rights.

Meanwhile, the securing of party members by prospective candidates for next year’s local elections is being carried out indiscriminately.

Above all, rumors persist that certain public officials centered around the Jeonbuk Provincial Government Office are recruiting party members for candidates planning to run for heads of local governments, and that provincial council members considering running are actively encouraging this.

The competition among candidates is also intensifying.

In some areas, defamatory tactics have emerged, such as spreading false rumors that a leading candidate and their family cannot run due to chronic illness, or exaggerating the weaknesses (criminal records, history of leaving the party, etc.) of opposing candidates.

There are also reports of attempts to mislead by claiming endorsements from the party’s local committee chairperson and members of the National Assembly or support from incumbent heads of local governments.

A source in Jeonbuk’s political circles said, “Considering the local sentiment where opposition party support is not easy in Jeonbuk, it is natural that the local election battle is already heating up,” but added, “Black propaganda against competing candidates or recruiting party members using public officials will ultimately backfire and harm oneself, so restraint is necessary.”