Busan Sasang District Mayor By-election Not Held... Acting System Continues Until Next Year's Local Election Following Gyeongnam Governor Vacancy

Sasang-gu Election Commission, 2 Billion Won Cost Not Worthwhile Due to COVID Concerns

Citizens voting in an election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] No by-election will be held for the vacant Busan Sasang District Mayor position. A new leader will be elected in next year's local elections.

Regarding the remaining term of former Sasang District Mayor Kim Dae-geun, who lost his position due to charges including violation of the Political Funds Act, the Election Commission announced on the 27th that it has decided not to hold a by-election.

Although there were opinions to hold a by-election to guarantee the voting rights of Sasang residents, the Election Commission judged that the election would not be practical due to concerns about the local spread of COVID-19 and the election management costs amounting to about 2 billion KRW.

According to the Public Official Election Act, except for the president, if the period from the election day to the expiration of the term is less than one year, a by-election may not be held depending on the decision of the election commission. The by-election for Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province was also decided not to be held.

The Busan Sasang District Mayor election will be held during the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled for June 1 next year.

Until the next Sasang District Mayor is elected, Deputy Mayor Yeo Un-cheol will perform the duties.

Former Mayor Kim was sentenced on the 19th to six months in prison with a one-year probation for obstruction of official duties by intimidation and violation of the Political Funds Act, and stepped down from the mayor position.

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