Former Chairman Baek Soon-gi Withdraws from Jeonju Mayoral Race... Next Year's Mayoral Election 'Whirlwind'

Withdrawing Candidacy Due to Health and Family Opposition... Attention Also on the Fate of 'Kim Sim (金心)'

Baek Soon-gi, Former Chairman of Jeonju Facilities Management Corporation

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Baek Soon-gi, former director of the Jeonju Facilities Management Corporation, who was expected to run for Jeonju mayor in next year's local elections, has decided not to run.

Accordingly, the Jeonju mayoral election is expected to be shaken once again, with attention focused on the actions of Mayor Kim Seung-su, who has declared he will not run for a third term.

A close aide to former Director Baek said in a phone call with the reporter on the 8th, "He has decided not to run in next year's local elections," adding, "His recent health deterioration was the decisive reason."

The aide also added, "Besides health, strong opposition from his family caused significant mental burden on former Director Baek."

With former Director Baek's withdrawal, next year's Jeonju mayoral election is narrowing down to a competition among Yoo Chang-hee, former vice chairman of the Jeonbuk Provincial Council from the Democratic Party, Lee Joong-seon, former Blue House administrator, Jo Ji-hoon, former director of the Jeonbuk Economic and Trade Promotion Agency, and Woo Beom-gi, former Jeonbuk Provincial Deputy Governor for Political Affairs, who is about to join the Democratic Party.

Outside the Democratic Party, Seo Yoon-geun, former Jeonju city council member, and Heo Nam-joo, chairman of the People Power Party's Jeonju Gap district, are mentioned.

However, considering that the Democratic Party primary results are almost tantamount to election victory, a fierce contest among the four candidates is expected.

Meanwhile, attention is also focused on how the withdrawal of Baek Soon-gi, who had been considered a dark horse, will affect Mayor Kim Seung-su's willingness to support candidates, i.e., the direction of ‘Kim-sim (金心)’.

Former Director Baek has been classified as a close associate of Mayor Kim since the time when former Governor Kim Wan-joo was mayor of Jeonju. It is also widely known that Mayor Kim had special trust in former Director Baek during his public service career.

Of course, political dynamics make it difficult to interpret support for a specific candidate easily.

Nevertheless, considering that many candidates have some ties with Mayor Kim, it is pointed out that ‘Kim-sim’ will be exercised to some extent.

In the case of former Director Jo Ji-hoon, during the 2014 local elections, he supported Mayor Kim in the party primary and withdrew midway.

Former Vice Chairman Yoo Chang-hee is a high school alumnus (Iri High School) of Mayor Kim and served as co-chief of Mayor Kim’s election campaign headquarters in the 2018 local elections.

Additionally, former administrator Lee Joong-seon has experience assisting Mayor Kim closely.

A local political insider said, "Former Director Baek Soon-gi launched his candidacy encouraged by National Assemblyman Kim Yoon-duk, who ran for governor, and expected support from Mayor Kim, but there were many practical difficulties," adding, "Next year's Jeonju mayoral election is expected to ignite a fierce primary battle between three candidates hoping for Mayor Kim’s support and cultivating their voter base, and former Deputy Governor Woo Beom-gi, who boasts a brilliant career."

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

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