The Democratic Party of Korea has reclaimed Gimhae, a key city in the Nakdong River belt of eastern South Gyeongsang Province, after four years. In the June 3 local elections, Democratic Party candidate Jung Young-doo secured his victory with 54.01% of the vote based on a 73.36% counting rate as of 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, defeating People Power Party candidate Hong Tae-yong by 8.03 percentage points.
Gimhae has historically been a swing region where voter sentiment has fluctuated in every election. From the first to the fourth popularly elected administrations starting in 1995, the conservative camp held the mayoral seat. However, in all four elections held after the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2009 — the fifth and sixth popularly elected administrations, a by-election, and the seventh administration — the democratic camp claimed the post. Gimhae is the hometown of the late former president and the site of his memorial, and Democratic Party support has remained strong in the area since his return home.
Mayor-elect Jung is a pro-Roh figure who served as an economic policy administrator at the presidential office during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. He was among those who carried the casket at the former president's funeral.
Having campaigned under the banner of "economic mayor," Jung pledged to create 100-year growth engines by establishing a Northeast Asia logistics platform. He also promised to develop an "AI Power Semiconductor Manufacturing Special Zone" linking the Daedong Advanced Industrial Complex with the Jinrye Techno Valley, aiming to transform the city's existing manufacturing base into an export-oriented advanced manufacturing hub.
"I will swing open the doors of the mayor's office and build a Gimhae where citizens' voices are at the center of city administration," Jung said. "I will unite the public sentiment that became frayed during the election process and, carrying on the will of President Roh Moo-hyun, build a Gimhae where people truly live well together."
