[6.3 Election] Democratic Party Primaries: ‘Metropolitan Overhaul’ and ‘Stagnant Water’ Among Basic Local Government Heads

With the June 3 nationwide local elections approaching, the Democratic Party of Korea’s nomination primaries have produced starkly contrasting results between metropolitan and basic local government heads. All metropolitan government heads have been replaced, while incumbents have dominated among basic local government heads, leading to what is often described as a “stagnant water” phenomenon.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at Damyang Nonghyup in Damyang County, Jeollanam-do on the morning of the 10th. Photo by Song Bohyun

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According to the Democratic Party of Korea on April 15, an unprecedented situation has occurred in which all five incumbent metropolitan government heads affiliated with the party have failed to make it to the main race. Kang Gi-jung, the Mayor of Gwangju, declared his candidacy for the Jeonnam·Gwangju Integrated Special Mayoral Election, but was eliminated without even competing in the preliminary round after losing to Assemblyman Shin Jeonghun in the candidate unification primary.

Kim Dongyeon, the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Oh Younghoon, the Governor of Jeju Province, were both eliminated in the first round of the main primary. Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, was the only incumbent to reach the final round, but he lost to Assemblyman Min Hyungbae, ending his bid for a third term. Kim Kwanyoung, the Governor of Jeollabuk-do, was expelled from the party before the primary due to allegations of distributing money, and thus had no opportunity to participate in the primary.

The fact that Assemblyman Min Hyungbae was confirmed as the final candidate in the Jeonnam·Gwangju Integrated Special Mayoral primary is seen as a result of public sentiment favoring a “drive for reform” over “stability.” Messages about political reform, restructuring of power, and innovation in local politics resonated strongly with party members during the vote.

However, the primaries for basic local government heads have produced markedly different results. In the Gwangju district mayoral primaries, all incumbent district mayors-Im Taek for Dong-gu, Kim Ikang for Seo-gu, Kim Byungnae for Nam-gu, and Park Byungkyu for Gwangsan-gu-secured their nominations, except for Buk-gu, where incumbent Moon In decided not to run.

In Jeollanam-do, candidates for basic local government heads have been confirmed in 12 out of 22 cities and counties. Incumbents such as Jeong Inhwa, Mayor of Gwangyang; Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju; Woo Seunghee, Head of Yeongam County; and Myung Hyunkwan, Head of Haenam County, have all secured their spots in the main race.

Jeong Kimyung, Mayor of Yeosu; Kim San, Head of Muan County; Kim Hanjong, Head of Jangseong County; and Kim Sung, Head of Jangheung County, have also advanced to either the final or main primary rounds and will continue to compete. Lee Sangik, candidate for Head of Hampyeong County, who was seeking a third term, became the first incumbent basic local government head in Gwangju·Jeonnam to be eliminated in the party’s primary.

The results of the Democratic Party’s primaries for 14 city and county heads in Jeollabuk-do also show a clear dominance of incumbents. Five incumbents-Jeong Seongju, Mayor of Gimje; Shim Deokseop, Head of Gochang County; Hwang Inhong, Head of Muju County; Choi Youngil, Head of Sunchang County; and Choi Hunsik, Head of Jangsu County-have all been confirmed as candidates. So far, Gunsan is the only city where the incumbent has been eliminated in the primary.

The strong showing of incumbents is attributed to their name recognition and organizational strength, often referred to as the “incumbency premium,” built up during their time in office. Additionally, the structure of the primaries, which weighs both party member votes and public opinion polls at 50% each, is seen as structurally advantageous for incumbents with solid organizational bases.

The contrasting results between metropolitan and basic local government heads are interpreted as reflecting a dual sentiment among voters: a desire for change at the metropolitan level, but a preference for proven incumbents in grassroots, community-level administration.

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