The People Power Party's primary for Gyeongbuk governor ahead of the June 3 local elections has begun, with a powerful movement emerging from the southeastern region centered on Pohang and Gyeongju.
The southeastern bloc—comprising Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongcheon, Yeongdeok, Uljin, and Ulleung—has never produced a governor since elected local government began in 1995. Political leaders are now demanding the region finally get its turn.
Despite accounting for a substantial portion of Gyeongbuk's total population, the region has repeatedly failed to elect a governor due to candidate fragmentation and vote splitting. This primary is different. Regional politicians are uniting behind Lee Kang-deok, a preliminary candidate and Pohang's first three-term mayor, raising hopes for the southeastern region's first governor.
Senior politicians' decisions to step aside have fueled the movement. Kang Seok-ho, former chairman of the Korea Freedom Federation and a three-term lawmaker from Pohang, announced on the 15th he would not run.
"If I compete against preliminary candidate Lee Kang-deok, precious votes would be divided and the region's dream could slip away," Kang said.
Former lawmaker Park Myung-jae had earlier declared support for Lee, adding momentum to regional consolidation.
Lee met with incumbent lawmakers including Kim Jung-jae and Lee Sang-hwi from Pohang, Kim Seok-ki from Gyeongju, and Lee Man-hee from Yeongcheon to build consensus.
"Pohang is Gyeongbuk's largest city, yet it has never produced a governor—this is a matter of provincial representation," Lee said. "I will honor the wishes of current and former lawmakers, secure victory, and lead truly balanced development across Gyeongbuk."