[June 3 Local Elections] ⑬ South Gyeongsang, Conservatives Lead Progressives 6 to 2... Tight Race Expected Between Park Wansu and Kim Kyungsoo

PPP Likely to Nominate Park Wansu; Jo Haejin and Kim Taeho Also Mentioned
Democratic Party Eyes Kim Kyungsoo; Min Hongchul and Kim Dugwan in the Mix

The gubernatorial election in South Gyeongsang Province has traditionally favored conservative parties, but the progressive camp has also experienced victory twice, in 2010 and 2018. In the upcoming 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, 2026, a fierce competition is expected between Park Wansu, the incumbent South Gyeongsang Governor from the People Power Party, and Kim Kyungsoo, former South Gyeongsang Governor and current Chair of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development from the Democratic Party.

Historical Performance of South Gyeongsang Governors

In the gubernatorial elections for South Gyeongsang Province, six conservative party candidates have been elected. Kim Hyukkyu of the Democratic Liberal Party was elected consecutively in the first, second, and third terms. Kim Taeho of the Grand National Party won both the by-election and the fourth term. In the fifth term, independent candidate Kim Dugwan was victorious. Former Governor Hong Joonpyo won both the by-election and the sixth term. In the seventh term, Kim Kyungsoo of the Democratic Party secured victory. However, in the eighth term, Park Wansu of the People Power Party reclaimed the governorship.

Who Are the Potential Candidates?

For the People Power Party, incumbent Governor Park Wansu is considered the leading candidate. Former three-term lawmaker Jo Haejin and Kim Taeho, a three-term lawmaker representing Yangsan-si-eul in South Gyeongsang, are also being mentioned. For the Democratic Party, Kim Kyungsoo is regarded as a strong contender. Four-term lawmaker Min Hongchul (Gimhae-gap) and former Minister of Public Administration and Security Kim Dugwan are also being discussed. Jeon Heeyoung, former Chair of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union from the Progressive Party, officially announced her candidacy last week.

Trends in Public Opinion Polls

According to recent opinion polls, Chair Kim and Governor Park are in a close race in a head-to-head matchup. In a poll by Busan Ilbo and KSOI, Kim received 38.1% and Park received 38.3%. In a poll by Gyeongnam Newspaper and Gallup Korea, Kim received 43% and Park 45%. In a multi-candidate poll (Busan Ilbo-KSOI), the results were as follows: Kim Kyungsoo 25.3%, Park Wansu 16.8%, Kim Taeho 16.6%, Min Hongchul 10.1%, Jo Haejin 8.1%, and Kim Dugwan 6.2%.

Characteristics of the South Gyeongsang Election

The People Power Party is expected to leverage the incumbent advantage. The Democratic Party is mounting a challenge to reclaim the governorship, rallying around the slogan "Let's Recapture the 2018 Victory." The issue of administrative integration is also a key variable in the South Gyeongsang gubernatorial election.

<Opinion Polls>

- Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI): Commissioned by Busan Ilbo, surveyed 1,011 men and women aged 18 or older residing in South Gyeongsang Province from January 2 to 3, 2026. Conducted via wireless ARS. Margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

- Gallup Korea: Commissioned by Gyeongnam Newspaper, surveyed 1,008 men and women aged 18 or older residing in South Gyeongsang Province from December 26 to 27, 2025. Conducted via wireless telephone interviews. Margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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