National Election Commission Decides Not to Hold 'Changwon Mayor By-election' ... Acting Mayor to Remain

Changwon Special City Hall, Gyeongnam. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee

The Seongsan District Election Commission in Changwon, Gyeongnam, has decided not to hold a by-election for the Changwon Special Mayor, which was necessitated by the confirmation of a ruling nullifying the election of former Mayor Hong Nam-pyo.

The Seongsan Election Commission recently sent official letters to local institutions and political party offices to gather opinions on whether to hold a re-election for the Changwon mayoral post, and after collecting feedback and holding a meeting, made this decision on the 15th.

According to Article 35, Paragraph 1, Subparagraphs (b) and (c) of the Public Official Election Act, if the reason for holding a by-election or re-election for the head of a local government is confirmed between September 1 of the previous year and the end of February, the election is held on the first Wednesday of April.

If the reason is confirmed between March 1 and August 31, the election is held on the first Wednesday of October.

Additionally, Article 201, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that a by-election may not be held if the remaining term from the election date to the expiration of the term is less than one year.

The Changwon mayoral by-election, triggered by the dismissal on the 3rd, would normally be held in the latter half of this year, but if the remaining term is less than one year until the next nationwide local elections, it is customary not to hold the election considering the manpower, costs, and time involved.

With this decision by the Election Commission, Changwon City will be administered by Deputy Mayor Jang Geum-yong as acting mayor for the next one year and two months.

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