The election in South Gyeongsang Province, considered one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the June 3 local elections, was decided by voters' preference for "stable continuation of provincial administration" and "checks on the ruling power."
In the South Gyeongsang gubernatorial race, which drew attention as a contest between the incumbent and former governors, People Power Party candidate Park Wan-su secured 51.52 percent of the vote as of 9 a.m., defeating Democratic Party candidate Kim Kyoung-soo by 3.05 percentage points to clinch victory. Amid a nationwide trend favoring the Democratic Party, South Gyeongsang, along with Seoul, Daegu and North Gyeongsang, will serve as the last bastion of the conservative camp in checking the government and ruling party.
Park notably reversed an 8.6 percentage-point deficit shown in the joint exit poll conducted by the three terrestrial broadcasters (KBS, MBC and SBS) and a 4.6 percentage-point deficit in JTBC's projection survey.
Park highlighted the achievements of the eighth popularly elected provincial administration during the campaign, actively leveraging his image as an administrator. He cited 42 consecutive months of trade surplus, the top ranking in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) among non-capital regions, and the nation's first introduction of the South Gyeongsang Provincial Pension as flagship achievements to justify his re-election bid. He also presented industrial development pledges tailored to five regional zones across the province.
Generation- and region-specific pledges also proved effective. Park presented "Five Happiness UP Welfare Pledges," including the introduction of a "South Gyeongsang Provincial Membership Card," as his top campaign promise. Targeting voters in their 40s and 50s as well as women, who had relatively lower perceptions of welfare benefits, he sought policy differentiation by promising "4050 Cheer Up Points" and expanded free HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations.
In the final stretch of the campaign, he focused his rallies on eastern South Gyeongsang, rallying conservative voters in disadvantageous areas such as Gimhae and Yangsan. He consistently delivered the message that he would devote himself to the province's development rather than use the governorship as a stepping stone for political advancement. He also emphasized his identity as a "South Gyeongsang native" and appealed for checks on the Democratic Party's dominance. "At least local governments must maintain balance," Park said during a campaign stop. "I ask the people of South Gyeongsang to defend liberal democracy, the rule of law and the future of our province with their power."
In the Changwon area, the largest battleground, he presented the administrative restructuring of integrated Changwon City as a core pledge. He also reiterated his vision for the administrative integration of Busan and South Gyeongsang, contingent on a referendum, seeking to take the lead in the development strategy for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega-region.
"After seeing the exit poll, I felt at ease once I decided to accept the result, but the situation changed as dawn passed," Park said. "Now that I have been entrusted with the provincial administration once again, I will repay the support of the people by making South Gyeongsang the top local government in the Republic of Korea."
He added, "I will also incorporate the good policies proposed by candidate Kim Kyoung-soo into the provincial administration. I will not lose my initial resolve and will work tirelessly for the people and South Gyeongsang until the end of my term."
Meanwhile, Kim, who accepted defeat, said in a statement, "To the esteemed people of South Gyeongsang, I humbly accept the election results you have created. I am sorry for failing to meet the support and expectations many of you sent during the campaign. It is all due to my shortcomings."
Kim added, "I congratulate candidate Park Wan-su, with whom I competed, on his election. I ask him to navigate well through the difficult realities facing our South Gyeongsang."
A native of Tongyeong, Park passed the 23rd Higher Civil Service Examination and served as Changwon mayor during the third and fourth popularly elected terms, the first mayor of integrated Changwon City, president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, and a member of the 20th and 21st National Assemblies. With this victory, he will lead the South Gyeongsang provincial administration for another term following his eighth-term tenure.
