Democratic Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Confirms Candidates for Changwon, Gimhae, Jinju, Namhae, and Hamyang

Song Sungho, Jung Youngdoo, Gal Sangdon, Ryu Kyungwan, and Seo Pilsang

The Democratic Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Election Commission announced the results of the primary elections for the heads of seven basic local governments—Changwon, Gimhae, Jinju, Sacheon, Miryang, Namhae, and Hamyang—on April 6.

According to the provincial party, Song Sungho, former provincial party chair, was confirmed as the candidate for Mayor of Changwon Special City, and Jung Youngdoo, former Blue House administrator, was confirmed as the candidate for Mayor of Gimhae.

For the Mayor of Jinju, Gal Sangdon, former chief of the Jinju-gap regional committee, was selected. For Governor of Namhae County, provincial assembly member Ryu Kyungwan was chosen. For Governor of Hamyang County, Seo Pilsang, former Democratic Party deputy spokesperson, was selected.

Song Sungho, Democratic Party candidate for mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam (from left), Jeong Youngdoo, candidate for mayor of Gimhae, Gal Sangdon, candidate for mayor of Jinju, Ryu Kyungwan, candidate for county governor of Namhae, Seo Pilsang, candidate for county governor of Hamyang. Courtesy of the National Election Commission

In the preliminary primary for Mayor of Yangsan, Kim Ilkwon, Park Daejo, Jo Moonkwan, and Choi Sunho were confirmed as the finalists advancing to the main election.

As no candidate won a majority in Sacheon, preliminary candidates Jung Gukjeong and Choi Sanghwa will compete in a runoff election. In Miryang, Lee Juwok and Jeong Mukwon will also face off in a runoff, both scheduled for April 11–12.

This primary election for local government heads reflected a 50% weighting for rights party member ARS (automatic response system) voting and 50% for public primary safe number ARS voting conducted on April 4 and 5, with the top candidate receiving more than half the votes confirmed as the nominee.

In his opening remarks, provincial party chair Heo Sungmoo stated, "The primary was a competition, but our goal is singular," emphasizing, "Now, we must move beyond competition and advance as one team."

He continued, "This local election is an important turning point for restoring the livelihoods of the people and achieving balanced national development," adding, "Gyeongnam will play a pivotal role in opening the floodgates to victory from the center."

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