Ulsan's city administration reached a historic turning point in the 9th nationwide local elections. The ruling Democratic Party captured the mayor's office, but the opposition People Power Party secured an overwhelming majority in both the city council and four of the five district and county leadership posts, creating a strong divided government.
In the Ulsan mayoral race on the 4th, Democratic Party candidate Kim Sang-wook defeated incumbent Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom of the People Power Party. Kim Sang-wook had proven his political values through his demand to lift the December 3 martial law and his support for impeachment, achieving unification among the democratic and progressive camps.
The metropolitan council elections, however, produced the opposite outcome. Of the total 22 council seats including proportional representation, the People Power Party took 15 seats (13 district seats and 2 proportional seats), dominating the council with a 68.2 percent share. The Democratic Party won 6 seats (5 district seats and 1 proportional seat), while the Progressive Party managed just 1 district seat.
The People Power Party also won four of the five district and county leadership posts. Specifically, People Power Party candidates Kim Young-gil in Jung-gu, Lim Hyun-cheol in Nam-gu, Cheon Ki-ok in Dong-gu, and Lee Soon-geol in Ulju-gun were elected in large numbers. The Democratic Party only won in Buk-gu, where candidate Lee Dong-kwon was elected.
With the mayor's party, the council's majority party, and most of the district and county heads at odds, a struggle for control appears inevitable as Mayor-elect Kim Sang-wook works to implement his key pledges and run the city administration. The first major issue expected to surface is the review of budget proposals and ordinance bills. For a local government to push forward projects, the city council's budget approval and ordinance enactment are essential, but if the People Power Party council, which holds well over a majority, applies the brakes, the mayor's authority alone cannot break through. Moreover, political differences with district chiefs who must jointly carry out frontline projects could also weigh as a burden.
Kim's campaign pledges, including the "restoration of revised city bus routes and expansion of additional routes" and "prioritizing the urban railway Line 2," will also be put to the test. In particular, transportation pledges requiring large-scale finances or labor-focused policies are likely to face fierce debate, as conservative People Power Party council members may differ in their views. In addition, intense tugs-of-war between the ruling and opposition parties are expected in the process of appointing heads of Ulsan's major public institutions and affiliated organizations.
Ultimately, Ulsan's city administration over the next four years appears likely to hinge on Mayor-elect Kim Sang-wook's political communication skills. A former lawyer who once served as a lawmaker for the People Power Party, Kim's unusual background could become an asset for cooperative governance, given his familiarity with the inner workings of both parties. In his acceptance remarks, Kim drew attention by saying, "I will create an Ulsan that comes together through integration and pragmatism."
