[Ulsan Mayor] Kim Dookyum vs Kim Sangwook vs Kim Jonghun vs Park Maengwoo... Unification Will Decide the Outcome [Current Affairs Show]

Four-Way Race: Kim Du-gyeom, Kim Sanguk, Kim Jonghun, and Park Maengwoo

Park Maengwoo Runs as Independent, Warning Sign for Kim Du-gyeom

Kim Sanguk–Kim Jonghun Unification Hinges on Pyeongtaek-eul Strategy

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Among the regions drawing attention in the June 3 local government head elections, Ulsan stands out. The race is currently shaping up as a four-way contest between Kim Du-gyeom (People Power Party), Kim Sangwook (Democratic Party), Kim Jonghoon (Progressive Party), and Park Maengwoo (Independent). The dynamics of the race could change significantly depending on how the landscape evolves moving forward. This means Ulsan is a highly fluid region, where the political fortunes of the ruling and opposition parties may diverge.

Looking at the results of the Ulsan Metropolitan Mayor elections over the past five years, conservatives have maintained an advantage. In the 2022 presidential election, Yoon Suk Yeol of the People Power Party received 54.41% of the vote, while Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party garnered 40.79%. In the local elections held that same year, the gap widened further. Kim Du-gyeom of the People Power Party secured 59.78%, while Song Cheolho of the Democratic Party received 40.21%. In the 2024 general election, the People Power Party won in four districts, with the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party each winning in one district. This trend continued through last year’s presidential election. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party received 42.5%, while Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party received 51.4% of the vote. Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party captured 7.5%.

Kim Du-gyeom, the current Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, was nominated as the sole candidate for the People Power Party. Born in 1958 in Nam-gu, Ulsan, he began his political career as a district council member, then served as a city council member and two-term Nam-gu district head, before being elected mayor in 2022—making him a self-made figure. Candidate Kim Sangwook won his nomination through the party primary. Born in 1980, his hometown is Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province. He was previously elected as a People Power Party candidate in the last general election, but joined the Democratic Party during the martial law and impeachment crisis.

There are clear differences between the two. Kim Du-gyeom is considered to have a “pro-Yoon” stance and is known to have attended rallies opposing the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. In contrast, Kim Sangwook is “anti-Yoon” and was an active supporter of impeachment. They also differ on the issue of administrative integration between Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province (commonly known as Bu-Ul-Gyeong). Kim Du-gyeom supports the idea of a super-regional administrative district but is cautious about the full integration of Bu-Ul-Gyeong. On the other hand, Kim Sangwook is proactive about integrating the region.

The biggest point of interest in the Ulsan mayoral race is whether candidate consolidation will occur. The outcome may change dramatically depending on whether there is consolidation between Kim Du-gyeom and Park Maengwoo, or between Kim Sangwook and Kim Jonghoon. Park Maengwoo, a former three-term Ulsan mayor and two-term National Assembly member, declared, “There will be no mid-race withdrawal. No consolidation,” and left the People Power Party after being cut from the nomination, announcing his independent run. This has turned on the “red light” for Kim Du-gyeom’s campaign. Attention is also focused on whether Park will join the Reform New Party, as Lee Junseok, its leader, has reportedly been in contact with Park’s camp.

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There is a growing consensus between Kim Sangwook and Kim Jonghoon that unless they consolidate their candidacies, the People Power Party candidate is likely to win. The possibility of consolidation is increasing. However, this issue extends beyond just the two candidates; it is also linked to the Democratic Party’s candidate nomination issue in Pyeongtaek B. The Progressive Party, aiming to win the Pyeongtaek B by-election, appears to hope that the Democratic Party will refrain from nominating a candidate there. How the Democratic Party strategizes for the Pyeongtaek B election is expected to determine the outcome of the consolidation matter.

Thus, the current Ulsan mayoral race is unfolding with multiple possibilities: it could be a two-way race between Kim Du-gyeom and Kim Sangwook, a three-way race including Park Maengwoo, or a four-way race with Kim Jonghoon also in the mix. It is expected that the contours of the race will become clearer around early May.

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