[June 3 Local Election]<16>Jeonbuk, Traditionally a Democratic Party Stronghold... Will This Time Be Different?

by Na Juseok

Published 26 Jan.2026 11:23(KST)

Democratic Party: Kim Kwanyoung Likely to Seek Re-election
Ahn Hoyoung, Lee Wontak, and Jung Heonyul Among Potential Candidates
People Power Party: Cho Baesook and Jeong Uncheon Mentioned

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province gubernatorial election has traditionally been dominated by parties affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea. In fact, former Governor Yoo Jonggeun ran unopposed in the second local election in 1998, when the uncontested election system did not exist.

Historical Results

Since the start of local elections in 1995, candidates from Democratic Party-affiliated parties (such as the Uri Party and the National Congress for New Politics) have consistently won in Jeonbuk. In head-to-head contests between the Democratic Party and People Power Party-affiliated candidates, the Democratic Party candidate has won by more than double the votes. In the eighth local election in 2022, current Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwanyoung was elected with the highest nationwide vote share of 82.1%.

Potential Candidates

[June 3 Local Election]<16>Jeonbuk, Traditionally a Democratic Party Stronghold... Will This Time Be Different?

Within the Democratic Party, incumbent Governor Kim Kwanyoung is considered a strong contender for re-election, while three-term Assemblyman Ahn Hoyoung (representing Wanju, Jinan, and Muju in Jeonbuk) and two-term Assemblyman Lee Wontak (representing Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan in Jeonbuk) have announced their candidacies. Three-term Iksan Mayor Jung Heonyul also declared his intention to run for governor last month. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk (representing Jeonju-gap in Jeonbuk) has stated that he will not run for governor. On the People Power Party side, there is speculation about the possible candidacies of Assemblywoman Cho Baesook (provincial party chairperson) and former Assemblyman Jeong Uncheon. The Innovation Party, which ranked first in the proportional representation vote in Jeonbuk during the last general election, does not yet have a clear pool of candidates.

Polling Trends

In a Jeonbuk Ilbo-JTV Jeonju Broadcasting poll, Governor Kim received 34%, Assemblyman Lee 19%, Assemblyman Ahn 13%, and Mayor Jung 5%. In a Jeonju KBS poll, Governor Kim received 27%, Assemblyman Lee 19%, Assemblyman Ahn 11%, and Mayor Jung 6%.

Characteristics of the Jeonbuk Election

Whether candidates can consolidate votes in their hometowns is also a variable. Governor Kim was born in Gunsan, Assemblyman Ahn in Jinan, Assemblyman Lee in Gimje, and Mayor Jung in Iksan. Governor Kim was born in Gunsan, Assemblyman Ahn in Jinan, Assemblyman Lee in Gimje, and Mayor Jung in Iksan.

◆ Polling Information

- Korea International (commissioned by Jeonbuk Ilbo and JTV Jeonju Broadcasting, conducted from the 27th to the 29th of last month, targeting 1,001 men and women aged 18 and older residing in Jeonbuk, using wireless telephone interviews by surveyors; margin of error is ±3.1%p at a 95% confidence level)
- Korea Research (commissioned by Jeonju KBS, conducted from the 26th to the 28th of last month, targeting 1,000 men and women aged 18 and older residing in Jeonbuk, using wireless telephone interviews by surveyors; margin of error is ±3.1%p at a 95% confidence level). For more details, refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.