Kim Kyoung-soo, the Democratic Party candidate for South Gyeongsang Province governor, was shown leading People Power Party candidate Park Wan-soo in exit polls conducted by the three major terrestrial broadcasters and JTBC during the 9th nationwide local elections held Tuesday, drawing contrasting reactions from the two campaigns. Kim's camp cheered with confidence in victory, while sighs came from Park's camp.
According to the joint exit poll by KBS, MBC, and SBS, Kim received 54.3% against Park's 45.7%, a gap of 8.6 percentage points. JTBC's projection survey also showed Kim ahead with 52.3% against Park's 47.7%, a lead of 4.6 percentage points.
Kim watched the exit poll results with about 200 party officials and supporters at his campaign headquarters in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, where the vote-counting situation room was set up. When the exit poll results showed Kim ahead, Kim and the attendees cheered and repeatedly chanted "Kim Kyoung-soo."
"This is only an exit poll result," Kim said. "We will calmly watch until the final vote count comes out, and share the joy when the result is in."
At the same time, sighs were heard at Park's campaign headquarters in Sangnam-dong, Changwon, when the exit poll results were announced. About 30 party officials and supporters stared at the TV screen showing the exit poll results, some letting out hollow laughs or sighs. Park reportedly did not appear at the camp and was resting nearby.
"Since the exit poll does not reflect early voting, we believe a comeback is sufficiently possible," said Yoo Hae-nam, chief spokesperson for Park's camp. "We hope that when the votes are counted, the will of our provincial residents will be revealed."
The outcome of the South Gyeongsang governor's race is expected to take shape as early as before midnight.
According to the National Election Commission, 1,788,526 of South Gyeongsang's 2,775,745 eligible voters cast ballots, for a turnout of 64.4%. Turnout was highest in Uiryeong County at 77.4% and lowest in Jinhae-gu, Changwon at 56.4%.
The South Gyeongsang turnout this time was 11 percentage points higher than the 53.4% recorded in the 8th local elections in 2022. Compared with recent local elections, it was lower than the 65.8% in the 7th election but higher than the 53.4% in the 8th, 59.8% in the 6th, and 61.8% in the 5th.
