[6.3 Election] Candidate Registration Closes for Jeonbuk Local Elections... Overall Competition Rate at 1.7 to 1

Average Competition Rate for Local Government Heads at 2.9 to 1

Four-Way Race in Iksan and Gochang

Twenty-Five Metropolitan Council Members Elected Unopposed

Democratic Party's Dominance Stands Out

Ten Out of Twelve Constituencies in Jeonju Decided Without a Vote

Record Number of Unopposed Winners Set

With candidate registration for the 9th nationwide local elections closing on May 15, the overall competition rate in the Jeonbuk region was calculated at 1.7 to 1. In particular, in the metropolitan council elections, 25 out of a total of 38 seats had single candidates registered, resulting in their unopposed election.

Yonhap News

According to the National Election Commission on May 15, a total of 262 officials will be elected in Jeonbuk through elections for the provincial governor, superintendent of education, heads of basic local governments, metropolitan and basic council members, and re- and by-elections for National Assembly members. A total of 453 candidates registered for these positions.

For the gubernatorial race, five candidates are running, resulting in a competition rate of 5 to 1: Lee Wantak from the Democratic Party of Korea, Yang Jeongmu from the People Power Party, Baek Seungjae from the Progressive Party, and independents Kim Seongsu and Kim Kwan-young. The superintendent of education race will be a head-to-head contest between Lee Namho and Cheon Hoseong.

In the Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan-gap re-election, Democratic Party candidate Kim Euigyeom will face People Power Party candidate Oh Jiseong. For the Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan by-election, Democratic Party candidate Park Ji-won will compete against independent Kim Jonghoe.

For the election of 14 basic local government heads, 41 candidates registered, showing an average competition rate of 2.9 to 1. In the metropolitan council elections, 54 candidates are contesting 38 seats, resulting in an average competition rate of 1.4 to 1. Notably, in the metropolitan council elections, 25 candidates registered unopposed and were elected without a vote. Among basic council members, 17 were elected unopposed, and for basic council proportional representation seats, 4 were elected without a vote.

In the basic local government head elections in Jeonju, Democratic Party candidate Jo Jihoon, People Power Party candidate Jo Yangdeok, Progressive Party candidate Kang Seonghee, and independent Kim Gwangjong will compete.

In Gunsan, Democratic Party candidate Kim Jaejun, Korea Innovation Party candidate Lee Juhyun, and independent Ko Youngseop are running.

In Iksan, the race features four candidates: Democratic Party candidate Choi Jeongho, Korea Innovation Party candidate Im Hyungtaek, and independents Park Gyeongcheol and Hwang Seyoun.

In Jeongeup, Democratic Party candidate Lee Haksoo, Korea Innovation Party candidate Kim Minyoung, and independent Kim Jaeseon are contesting. In Namwon, Democratic Party candidate Yang Chungmo, Korea Innovation Party candidate Kang Dongwon, and independent Hwang Eedon have declared their candidacies.

In Gimje, Democratic Party candidate Jeong Seongju and independent Lee Byeongcheol will face off, while in Wanju County, Democratic Party candidate Yoo Heetae and independent Guk Youngseok will compete.

In Jinan County, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Choonseong and independents Cheon Chunjin and Ko Joonsik have registered, and in Muju County, Democratic Party candidate Hwang Inhong and independent Han Songhee are running.

In Jangsu County, Democratic Party candidate Choi Hunsik will compete against Korea Innovation Party candidate Jang Youngsoo, and in Imsil County, Democratic Party candidate Han Deuksu will face independents Jeong Injun and Han Byeongrak.

In Sunchang County, Democratic Party candidate Choi Youngil and Progressive Party candidate Oh Eunmi will compete, while in Gochang County, four candidates have registered: Democratic Party candidate Shim Deokseop, Korea Innovation Party candidate Yoo Kisang, and independents Jang Myungsik and Jeong Wonhwan. In Buan County, Democratic Party candidate Kwon Ikhyun, People Power Party candidate Kim Seongtae, Korea Innovation Party candidate Kim Seongsu, and independent Kim Jongkyu are running.

In the metropolitan council elections, unopposed elections were confirmed in 25 constituencies, including Jeonju districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12; Gunsan districts 3, 4, and 5; Iksan districts 1 through 5; Jeongeup district 1; Gimje district 1; Wanju districts 1 and 2; Muju district; and Gochang districts 1 and 2.

All unopposed winners are members of the Democratic Party. In Jeonju, winners were determined without voter choice in 10 out of 12 constituencies. In Iksan, Wanju, and Gochang, all constituencies had unopposed winners.

This surpasses the previous record of 22 unopposed winners in the region during the last local elections. According to the Public Official Election Act, those elected unopposed retain their status as candidates but are not allowed to conduct separate election campaigns.

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