Kim Cheol-woo, Boseong County chief known as a "paragon of integrity," has received eligibility approval from the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate screening ahead of the June 3 local elections, boosting momentum for his third-term bid.
According to the Democratic Party's South Jeolla Provincial chapter nomination committee on the 26th, Kim received notification from the party's supreme council that he was granted an "exception to ineligibility" (eligible) status, allowing him to register as a preliminary candidate with the local election commission.
This green light signals Kim's third-term campaign can now proceed in earnest as he enters the party's nomination race.
"I thank the central party's supreme council once again for making an accurate judgment," Kim said. "I will do my best to become Boseong County's first three-term chief and repay the kindness of county residents."
Kim has maintained a first-grade rating for four consecutive years through 2025 in the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's public institution integrity evaluation during his seventh and eighth elected terms, earning praise for upholding Boseong residents' pride.
He has also been lauded as an "effective administrator" for providing livelihood support funds for two consecutive years through sound fiscal management and securing record national subsidies to usher in Boseong County's first "800 billion won budget era."
Based on these achievements, Kim leads overwhelmingly in local media polls.
In a survey conducted January 30-31 by Joowon C&I for Straight News, polling 500 Boseong residents aged 18 and older on candidate suitability for the next county chief, Kim received the highest support at 41.5%. He was followed by former Jindo Deputy County Chief Yoon Young-joo at 19.5%, former South Jeolla Provincial Council member Lim Young-soo at 19.1%, and former Democratic Party policy committee vice chairman Seon Hyeong-soo at 7.8%. "None" accounted for 4.4% and "Don't know" 5.7%.
In an earlier survey conducted December 13-14 by Mono Research for Pressian's Gwangju-South Jeolla bureau, Kim led with an overwhelming 50.0%. Former provincial council member Lim Young-soo followed at 18.8%, former Jindo Deputy County Chief Yoon Young-joo at 13.5%, and Seon Hyeong-soo at 5.2%. Other candidates received 2.1%, "None" 4.2%, and "Don't know/No response" 6.3%.
Detailed survey information is available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Committee website.