[June 3 Election] Ko Gilho and Choi Jesoon Endorse Kim Taesung... Sinan County Mayoral Candidates Unite

A Head-to-Head Race with Democratic Party Candidate Park Woolyang

Ahead of the June 3 Sinan County mayoral election, Kim Taesung, a preliminary candidate from the Jogu Innovation Party, and independent candidates Ko Gilho and Choi Jesoon have agreed to a policy unification centered around Kim Taesung.

Three candidates (Ko Gilho, Kim Taesung, Choi Jesoon, from left) hold a unification ceremony in front of the campaign office of Kim Taesung, preliminary candidate for Shinan County governor from the Innovation Party, at 10 a.m. on the 14th. Photo by Seunghyun Jung

At a unification press conference held at Kim's campaign office at 10 a.m. on the 14th, the three candidates jointly declared that they had agreed to a policy unification without any promises of positions or personal gains, stating that their sole focus is "the future of Sinan and the happiness of its residents."

Following this unification, former Sinan County Mayor Ko Gilho will serve as the chief campaign director for Kim Taesung's camp, while preliminary candidate Choi Jesoon will join as the chair of the advisory committee, participating in the election campaign.

Kim's campaign described this integration as the launch of a "White-Clad United One Team." The three candidates explained, "We have decided to unite our efforts without conditions for a major transformation in Sinan," adding, "We share the belief that the changes in Sinan and the choices of its residents outweigh individual political interests."

This unification takes the form of an election alliance that combines the administrative experience of three-term former mayor Ko Gilho, the local community base of preliminary candidate Choi Jesoon, and the reform vision of Jogu Innovation Party candidate Kim Taesung.

So far, the Sinan County mayoral race has been a contest among Democratic Party candidate Park Woolyang, Jogu Innovation Party candidate Kim Taesung, and independent candidates Ko Gilho and Choi Jesoon.

After the unification, the three candidates also announced their intention to build a model of cooperative governance that transcends party lines and factions. They outlined a vision to pursue inclusive administration that reflects diverse administrative experience and local opinions, rather than a system of concentrated power, and to create a "Sinan governed by its residents" through transparent and efficient county management.

The core agenda of the integrated policy is "A Sinan Where Women Are Happy." The three candidates pledged to make the development of a women's health support system tailored to island communities, the strengthening of women's safety networks, and the expansion of cultural and relaxation infrastructure for women major campaign pledges under unified candidate Kim Taesung.

Kim Taesung expressed, "I deeply respect the decisions made by former mayor Ko Gilho and preliminary candidate Choi Jesoon," and added, "With such reliable companions, we will restore Sinan's pride and deliver changes that residents can truly feel."

Preliminary candidates Go Gilho, Kim Taesung, and Choi Jesoon who signed the unification agreement (from left). Photo by Seunghyun Jung

Former mayor Ko Gilho and preliminary candidate Choi Jesoon also stated, "Unconditional unification will become the driving force for Sinan's transformation," and expressed their determination to "form a one team centered on candidate Kim Taesung and win the upcoming election."

Local political observers believe this unification could become a major variable in the Sinan County mayoral race. If the support base of the independent candidates consolidates around Kim Taesung, the two-way race between Democratic Party candidate Park Woolyang and Jogu Innovation Party candidate Kim Taesung could become even more pronounced.

In particular, with recent polls showing a tight race between Kim Taesung and Park Woolyang within the margin of error, attention is focused on how this unification will impact the final voter sentiment.

Kim Taesung's campaign committee pledged, "This integration is a declaration of commitment without compensation or conditions," and added, "With the policy unification and the launch of the united campaign committee, we will rally the aspirations of Sinan residents who seek change and administrative innovation."

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