[Exclusive] Confirmed Candidates for 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council Chair Kim Hyun-ki and Vice Chair Woo Hyung-chan

3-term Representative Choi Ho-jung Confirmed as Floor Leader of People Power Party...Reelected Representative Nam Chang-jin Mentioned as Deputy Chair Candidate of People Power Party

Kim Hyun-ki, Candidate for Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Hyun-ki, a four-term member of the People Power Party (PPP) representing Gangnam 3, has been confirmed as the candidate for the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairperson, whose term begins on July 1.

Additionally, Woo Hyung-chan, a three-term member of the Democratic Party representing Yangcheon 3, has been confirmed as the candidate for Vice Chairperson.

Following the June 1 local elections, the Seoul Metropolitan Council is composed of 76 seats held by the People Power Party and 36 seats by the Democratic Party.

The majority party, People Power Party, held a general meeting of elected council members on the 13th and elected Choi Ho-jung (54, Seocho 4) as the floor leader.

Subsequently, after announcing the Chairperson candidate selection on the 14th and completing candidate registration on the 15th, Kim Hyun-ki became the sole candidate and was confirmed through a primary election on the 17th.

The People Power Party is scheduled to hold a meeting next week to prepare for a primary election to select the Vice Chairperson, with Nam Chang-jin (69, Songpa 2) being a strong contender.

On the morning of the 22nd, Chairperson candidate Kim Hyun-ki said in a phone interview, “With the Democratic Party’s Vice Chairperson candidate (Woo Hyung-chan) and floor leader (Jung Jin-sul) decided, I will soon hold a meeting with Floor Leader Choi Ho-jung to discuss the organization of the council and preparations for the opening ceremony.”

Candidate Kim, a four-term Seoul council member and holder of a Ph.D. in Public Administration (Finance) from Dongguk University, is recognized for his competence. Having served as Chairperson of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, he is expected to demonstrate rational leadership by both checking and cooperating with Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration as a representative of the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

In particular, Kim is noted as a gentleman with impeccable manners and outstanding execution skills, making him a notable local politician.

Woo Hyung-chan, the Democratic Party’s Vice Chairperson candidate decided through a primary on the afternoon of the 21st, graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and has experience as a broadcasting PD. He became a member of the 8th Seoul Metropolitan Council and served as Chairperson of the Transportation Committee in the latter half of the 9th term, earning praise for leading the committee rationally. Woo demonstrated his strength by being the only Democratic candidate elected in the four constituencies of Yangcheon District during the June 1 local elections.

Choi Ho-jung, Floor Leader of the People Power Party

Meanwhile, Choi Ho-jung, the People Power Party floor leader, is a three-term Seoul council member and the second most experienced after Chairperson candidate Kim Hyun-ki, but was unanimously elected as floor leader instead of Vice Chairperson.

With the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson candidates, and floor leader all being rational figures, the 11th council is expected to operate more smoothly through dialogue than any previous council.

Nonetheless, since the People Power Party holds the majority in the council, it is anticipated that they will occupy the key standing committee chair positions.

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