Who Benefits from the Presidential Office Move to 'Yongsan'? [6·1 Local Election Battleground ⑤]

3-Term Democratic Party District Mayor Steps Down
Recent General and Presidential Elections Favor People Power Party
Impact of Presidential Office Relocation Issue Is Key

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Yongsan-gu, Seoul, supported the People Power Party in the 2020 general election and the recent presidential election. However, since the Democratic Party of Korea won the previous local election in 2018, the outcome of this election is unpredictable. It is expected that this time, with the incumbent district mayor stepping down after serving three terms and the issue of relocating the presidential office, these factors will influence voter sentiment.

According to the National Election Commission on the 19th, three candidates have registered for Yongsan-gu mayor: Kim Cheolsik of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Heeyoung of the People Power Party, and independent candidate Park Gyujeong.

Looking at local public opinion, in the 2018 local election, Yongsan-gu Mayor Seong Janghyun recorded a vote share of 57.9%, significantly ahead of his opponent Kim Kyungdae of the Liberty Korea Party, who received 33.4%.

However, recent public sentiment has shown a conservative trend. In the 2020 National Assembly election, Kwon Youngse of the United Future Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) narrowly defeated Democratic Party candidate Kang Taewoong with 47.8% of the vote to 47.1%. In last year's Seoul mayoral by-election, Yongsan residents gave Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon a vote share of 63.44%. In the recent presidential election, the People Power Party won with 56.4% of the vote, beating the Democratic Party's 39.9%.

The People Power Party expects this trend to continue. On the other hand, the Democratic Party believes that the issue of relocating the presidential office could help them retain the mayoral position.

Local public opinion is considering both real estate development and the presidential office relocation issue. Candidate Kim points out that relocating the presidential office to Yongsan could create new regulations that make development difficult and cause traffic inconveniences. In contrast, candidate Park emphasizes that there will be no additional regulations or development restrictions. He also highlights his role as chairman of the People Power Party Yongsan District Real Estate Special Committee, promising a sense of speed in development.

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