Who Will Take Charge of the 1.03 Million Population Changwon Special City Mayor... Incumbent Mayor Heo Seong-mu Seeks Re-election

Intense Competition Expected as People Power Party Candidates Receive Consecutive Nominations

Prominent Candidates from Justice Party and Minjung Party Also Expected to Join Race

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] As candidates continue to announce their bids regarding the administration of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, a metropolitan city with a population of over one million, attention is focused on how the contest between the ruling and opposition parties will be shaped.

Currently, Heo Seong-mu, the incumbent mayor of Changwon from the Democratic Party, appears to be the most likely candidate.

Heo Seong-mu, the first Democratic Party-affiliated mayor ever elected in Changwon’s local elections, joined the election race by holding a book concert titled “Jalpi is Back” at the Changwon Convention Center on the 12th of last month. There, he shared the achievements of the Masan Bay Revitalization Project, plans for the revival of the manufacturing city, the importance of carbon neutrality and the hydrogen economy, as well as his administrative philosophy and future vision over the past three years with the citizens.

About 3,000 citizens participated in the approximately three-hour-long book concert, demonstrating Mayor Heo’s popularity.

In particular, Mayor Heo, known as the “sneaker market” mayor, has achieved significant milestones during his tenure, including the extension of financial incentives and the realization of the special city status. He has also worked tirelessly between the central government and the National Assembly to secure practical special city authorities for regional development.

As a result, with the launch of the special city status, residents now enjoy social welfare benefits equivalent to those of metropolitan cities. He is also praised for his relentless efforts to protect the precious lives and property of citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing ordinary happiness. So far, no other candidates from the Democratic Party besides Mayor Heo have emerged.

On the other hand, the People Power Party, which won the recent presidential election, has multiple prospective candidates, suggesting a fierce competition in the nomination process.

Cha Ju-mok, representative of the Changwon Tomorrow Forum, and Heo Young, former president of the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute, officially declared their candidacies for Changwon mayor on the 14th after registering as preliminary candidates.

On the same day, another preliminary candidate, Song Byung-kwon, former deputy mayor of Jinju City, greeted commuters in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Office.

Hong Nam-pyo, former head of the Science and Technology Strategy Headquarters at the Ministry of Future Creation and Science, Jang Dong-hwa, former provincial council member, and Jo Cheong-rae, former chairman of the Changwon Facilities Corporation, have also registered as preliminary candidates.

Kim Sang-gyu, former head of the Public Procurement Service, is not yet a preliminary candidate but recently expressed his intention to run by issuing several press releases criticizing the city administration during the special committee investigation of the Masan Marine New City administrative affairs at the city council.

Moreover, National Assembly member Kang Ki-yoon and former Changwon City Council chairman Bae Jong-cheon are expected to join the election battle.

Additionally, No Chang-seop, Changwon City Council member from the Justice Party, and Son Seok-hyung, chairman of the Changwon City Committee of the Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the Minjung Party, are also considered potential candidates.

The key point to watch in the Changwon Special City local election, held in Gyeongnam’s largest city, will be whether incumbent Mayor Heo Seong-mu can defend his position or if the People Power Party, which produced the president-elect in the 20th presidential election, will reclaim the city.

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