People Power Party candidate Lee Hyun-jae won re-election as Hanam mayor in the 9th popularly elected local government election.
According to vote-counting results from the National Election Commission on Tuesday, Lee secured 51.95% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party candidate Kang Byeong-deok, who received 48.04%.
The election was a head-to-head contest between Lee, who emphasized continuity with the achievements of his 8th-term administration, and Kang, who called for a change of power. Both sides made transportation, urban development, education, and welfare their core agendas, contesting closely until the final stretch.
Shortly after his victory was confirmed, Lee said, "I deeply thank the 330,000 Hanam citizens who placed their trust in me once again." He added, "Today's victory is not a personal one, but a mandate from citizens telling me not to halt Hanam's development and to see through to the end what has been started."
Lee also emphasized a message of unity. Referring to the symbolic "red and blue sneakers" he wore during the campaign, he said, "I will serve not only the citizens who supported me but also those who chose other candidates as equally precious Hanam citizens."
Lee said he would return to city administration immediately without forming a separate transition committee. "I will save the time it would take to set up a transition committee and return to work right away," he said. "I will pursue the core pledges I made to citizens in transportation, culture, education, and welfare without any setbacks."
Major projects pursued during his 8th-term administration—including K-Star World, the Gyosan New Town development, the expansion of metropolitan transportation networks, and efforts to host a national arboretum—are also expected to gain momentum.
"Through Hanam's uninterrupted development, I will complete the best city in the metropolitan area and will surely repay citizens with their happiness," Lee said.
