Choo Kyung-ho Wins Daegu Mayoral Election, Defends Conservative Stronghold Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate from the People Power Party and a former Deputy Prime Minister, has won the Daegu mayoral election. In one of the most fiercely contested areas of the June 3 local elections, he successfully defended the "heart of conservatism" against the ruling party's challenges. Choo entered the race late due to delays in the party's primary, initially trailing behind Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum in early polls. The election in Daegu, known for its strong conservative base, turned into an unprecedented close contest. However, as the campaign progressed, the race tightened. Choo's daily appeals to "revive the Daegu economy and protect the heart of conservatism" resonated with voters. Former President Park Geun-hye, often referred to as the "queen of elections," also provided significant support. She met with Choo at her residence in Daegu and campaigned with him at local markets, urging citizens to back his candidacy. In his victory speech, Choo emphasized the urgent need to rebuild the Daegu economy. He stated, "The meaning of this election result is a stern command from the citizens to revive the collapsed Daegu economy and awaken its potential. I will respond with tangible results." Choo pledged to prioritize economic recovery, stating, "From the moment I stepped into the race as a mayoral candidate, I promised to become an 'economic mayor.' The top priority of my administration will be the recovery of the Daegu economy. I will simultaneously promote the development of future industries, attract investment, and restore the livelihoods of citizens to make Daegu a place where money and people gather again." Choo, an economic expert with a background in public administration, was born in Daegu and graduated from Kyeseong High School and Korea University with a degree in business administration. He also holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Oregon in the United States. He entered public service after passing the 25th National Civil Service Examination and has held various key positions as an economic bureaucrat. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, earning a reputation for his exceptional work ethic and leadership, being regarded as the "most admired boss" within the ministry. Choo entered the National Assembly in 2016 as a candidate for the then-Saenuri Party (now the People Power Party) in Daegu's Dalseong district and has since been re-elected three times, solidifying his local support. In May 2024, he was elected as the floor leader of the People Power Party, further expanding his influence within the party. With this victory, Choo has successfully continued the legacy of conservative mayors in Daegu, which has consistently elected candidates from conservative parties since the first local elections in 1995, except for one instance when an independent candidate won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:45:00

Jeon Jae-soo Wins Busan Mayoral Election, Thanks Voters for Choosing Change Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party has been elected as the Mayor of Busan, defeating Park Hyung-jun of the People Power Party in one of the key battlegrounds of the June 3 local elections. This marks the first time a Democratic Party candidate has held the Busan mayoralty since Oh Geo-don was elected eight years ago.According to the National Election Commission, as of 3:30 a.m., with 95.42% of the votes counted, Jeon secured 50.40% of the votes, while Park received 48.04%.Upon confirmation of his victory, Jeon stated, "I take the wishes of the Busan citizens who chose change very seriously and I promise to work hard, work hard, and work hard again. I am truly grateful and thankful."He added, "While I am happy about my election, I am also aware that there are many more who lost than those who won. As mayor, I will do my utmost to ensure that the Democratic Party earns the trust of even more Busan citizens."Jeon acknowledged the challenges of campaigning in Busan, saying, "I felt once again how difficult it is to run an election in Busan, especially for those who lost, including Ha Jung-woo, who ran for the National Assembly in the North Busan Gap district. I take full responsibility for the shortcomings as the mayoral candidate." He concluded by promising to channel the passion and efforts of those who lost into revitalizing Busan.Park Hyung-jun, who was seeking a third term as mayor, congratulated Jeon on his victory, stating, "I will now finish the 8th term of the elected administration and return to being a citizen of Busan to support its development."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:39:00

Park Chan-dae Secures Victory in Incheon Mayoral Election Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party is projected to win the Incheon mayoral election held on June 3. A native of Incheon, Park previously served three terms as a National Assembly member for the Yeonsu district. As of 3:20 a.m. on June 4, Park was leading by nearly 10 percentage points over his opponent, Yoo Jeong-bok of the People Power Party. In response, Yoo acknowledged his defeat, stating, "I humbly accept the stern choice of the citizens." Upon confirmation of his victory, Park addressed supporters at his campaign office, saying, "The citizens have made a decision for a 'great Incheon.' I will take this command from the citizens to move beyond stagnation and toward growth." He emphasized the immediate launch of a 100-day emergency project for economic recovery, pledging to work closely with the central government to deliver significant results. This election marks another change in leadership for Incheon. The last time an incumbent mayor successfully retained their position was in 2006, when Ahn Sang-soo of the then-ruling Grand National Party (now the People Power Party) was re-elected. Additionally, Park played a significant role in the Democratic Party as the floor leader in 2024, leading the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had declared a state of emergency on December 3.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:36:00

Jokuk Acknowledges Defeat in Pyeongtaek By-Election In the by-election for the National Assembly held alongside the local elections on June 3, Jokuk, the candidate from the Jokuk Innovation Party, conceded defeat on June 4. After the victory of the People Power Party's candidate, Yoo Yi-dong, Jokuk stated, "The top priority of the June 3 local elections was to achieve a zero presence of the People Power Party. While we achieved meaningful results nationwide, we were unable to fulfill that mandate in Pyeongtaek. This is all my shortcoming and my responsibility." He added, "Though you embraced me warmly, I did not meet your expectations." He continued, "This outcome is a personal failure for me, but I believe the vision and values reflected in me are not wrong. I will always walk with you to realize those hopes," and expressed his intention to use the heartfelt support from Pyeongtaek as a guiding compass. He also thanked all volunteers and supporters from the pro-democracy camp, saying, "I am grateful to everyone who wholeheartedly stood by me." In the multi-candidate race for the Pyeongtaek by-election, Jokuk finished in third place, following Yoo and Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:36:00

Democratic Party Expected to Win 12 to 14 of 16 Local Elections In the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party achieved a significant victory, likely winning more than 10 out of 16 regional leadership positions. As of 3 a.m. on June 4, the Democratic Party is projected to secure victory in 10 of the 16 gubernatorial races, while the People Power Party has confirmed wins in only two regions: Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Four regions, including Seoul, Gangwon, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam, remain competitive as of this time. Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party confirmed their victories in their strongholds, Gwangju-Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk, respectively, on the evening of June 3. Min Hyung-bae, the newly elected mayor of Gwangju-Jeonnam, stated at his campaign office in Gwangju's Seo-gu, "We will work together with the citizens to create a new growth axis for South Korea, uniting Jeonnam and Gwangju," adding, "We will establish a citizen-led government where administration follows the will of the people." Lee Cheol-woo, the newly elected governor of Gyeongbuk, emphasized, "I will dedicate myself to fulfilling the wishes of the citizens for a stronger Gyeongbuk and a more robust South Korea." Democratic Party candidates continued to announce their victories throughout the night. By 3 a.m., Huh Tae-jung, the newly elected mayor of Daejeon, Kim Sang-wook, the newly elected mayor of Ulsan, and Wi Seong-gon, the newly elected governor of Jeju, had all confirmed their wins. The elections for Choo Mi-ae, the candidate for Gyeonggi governor, Lee Won-taek for Jeonbuk governor, Park Chan-dae for Incheon mayor, Jo Sang-ho for Sejong mayor, and Shin Yong-han for Chungbuk governor are also expected to be confirmed. In Busan, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo declared victory, stating, "I will honor the wishes of the Busan citizens who chose change." On the other hand, among the People Power Party candidates, aside from Lee Cheol-woo, who confirmed his win early, the only candidate expected to secure a victory is Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate for Daegu mayor. Choo expressed gratitude and respect for his opponent, Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party, who conceded, saying, "I will meet with Kim Boo-kyum frequently to gain valuable advice." Meanwhile, in Seoul, Gangwon, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam, where counting is still ongoing, no clear frontrunners have emerged. However, excluding Gangwon, where competitive results were anticipated, the Democratic Party candidates are favored to win in the other regions based on exit polls. Therefore, once the counting is completed, it is expected that the Democratic Party will secure 12 to 14 of the 16 regional leadership positions, while the People Power Party will take 2 to 4.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:33:00

Independent Han Dong-hoon and Yoon Ui-dong of the People Power Party Win Local Elections In the June 3 local by-elections, Yoon Ui-dong of the People Power Party and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon have secured their victories in Pyeongtaek and Busan North Gap, respectively. As of 3 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission reported that Han received 42.99% of the votes in the Busan North Gap parliamentary election, ensuring his entry into the National Assembly. Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo garnered 41.24%, while People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik received 15.79%, failing to secure a seat. Upon confirmation of his victory, Han expressed his gratitude, stating, "I sincerely thank the great citizens of Buk-gu for opening the path to a historic victory for the future of Buk-gu and the rebuilding of conservatism. I will fulfill the mission entrusted to me, prioritizing the citizens of Buk-gu, Busan, and the people of Korea." He added, "I will work towards the development of Buk-gu, the rebuilding of conservatism, and controlling the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in Korea." At the same time, Yoon confirmed his victory with 34.57% of the votes. Following him were Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam with 28.93% and Cho Guk of the Justice Party with 27.44%, both of whom are projected to lose. After his victory was confirmed, Yoon stated at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, "The nation is in a very difficult situation, and our party is also facing challenges. I believe there is a significant reason for the important mission entrusted to me during this tough time. I will take on this responsibility seriously and walk step by step according to the mandate given by the citizens." This victory marks Yoon's return to the National Assembly for a fourth term. Meanwhile, Cho, who faced defeat, acknowledged his shortcomings, saying, "This is all my inadequacy and my responsibility. I will humbly accept the results." He added, "I do not believe that this outcome reflects a failure of my personal vision or values that were projected onto me."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:33:00

Kim Nam-jun and Kim Nam-guk Win Seats in National Assembly Elections Kim Nam-jun of the Democratic Party has won the by-election in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, a district previously represented by President Lee Jae-myung. Additionally, Kim Nam-guk, who served as the president's digital communication secretary, has secured a victory in the Ansan-si Gap district of Gyeonggi Province. According to the National Election Commission, as of 3 a.m. on June 4, Kim Nam-jun had garnered 71.85% of the votes, solidifying his win. With a vote count of 36.30% completed, he significantly outpaced his competitors, including Shin Wang-seop of the People Power Party, who received 20.64%, and independent candidate Kim Hyun-tae, who obtained 7.50%. In his victory speech, Kim Nam-jun expressed gratitude to the residents, stating, "Many residents have shown their love for Gyeyang-eul and have actively supported me throughout the campaign. I felt that this strength has brought us to where we are today. I will gather your support to ensure that President Lee's promised pledges are fulfilled." Meanwhile, in the Ansan-si Gap by-election, with 82.70% of the votes counted, Kim Nam-guk has also confirmed his victory with 54.33% of the votes. His opponent, Kim Seok-hoon of the People Power Party, received 40.28%, while Moon In-soo of the Reform New Party garnered 5.38%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:18:00

Kim Sang-wook Wins Ulsan Mayor Election Amid Last-Minute Alliance Kim Sang-wook of the Democratic Party has secured his victory in the Ulsan mayoral election, attributed to the effects of a last-minute alliance with the Progressive Party. According to the vote count as of 2:55 a.m. on June 4, Kim defeated Kim Doo-gyeom of the People Power Party by a margin of approximately 4 percentage points. He becomes the first Democratic mayor of Ulsan in four years, following the term of former mayor Song Cheol-ho, who left office in 2022. After his victory was confirmed, Kim stated in interviews on June 3, "This is a stern mandate from citizens to no longer tolerate deception. It signifies a rejection of corruption and the entrenched power cartel." He emphasized his commitment to prioritizing citizen sovereignty and interests, pledging to build a Ulsan that adheres to fundamental principles. During the campaign, Kim faced conflicts regarding a polling process for the alliance with former Progressive Party candidate Kim Jong-hoon, particularly over provisions to prevent strategic voting. The two candidates ultimately reached a dramatic agreement on unification just before early voting. In contrast, Kim Doo-gyeom and independent candidate Park Maeng-woo failed to form an alliance, with Park receiving about 6% of the votes. 2026-06-04 03:15:00

Choo Kyung-ho Wins Daegu Mayoral Election, Vows to Revive Local Economy Choo Kyung-ho of the People Power Party has been elected as the mayor of Daegu, defeating Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party. According to the National Election Commission, as of 2:51 a.m. on June 4, Choo had secured 481,418 votes, or 52.81%, leading Kim by a margin of 60,609 votes. Kim acknowledged his defeat around 2:30 a.m., expressing regret for not meeting expectations and congratulating Choo on his victory. Following Kim's concession, Choo returned to the election office to thank his supporters. He stated, "I bow my head in gratitude to the citizens who have opened a new future for Daegu with their great choice." Choo emphasized the significance of the election results, declaring, "The message is clear: I will respond to the citizens' stern command to revive the fallen Daegu economy and awaken its potential with tangible results." He also extended his condolences and gratitude to Kim, stating, "I will also respect the wishes of citizens who chose other candidates," and pledged to be a mayor focused solely on the development of Daegu. In conclusion, Choo affirmed, "I will steadfastly push forward with the overhaul of the Daegu economy, working diligently to revive it and awaken the city's potential."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:12:00

Election Results: Han Dong-hoon Wins, Jo Guk Loses in Local Elections Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon and Jo Guk of the Justice Party received mixed results in the June 3 local elections. Han secured a victory in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, marking a significant political comeback, while Jo's attempt to return to the National Assembly was unsuccessful, raising questions about their future political paths. As of 2 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission reported that Han won the Busan Buk-gap by-election with 42.99% of the vote. Upon confirmation of his victory, Han expressed gratitude to the citizens of Buk-gu, stating, "This historic victory opens the path for the future of Buk-gu and the rebuilding of conservatism. I will work to develop Buk-gu, restore conservatism, and control the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in South Korea." Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo received 41.24% of the votes, failing to secure a seat in the Assembly. At the same time, Jo received 27.44% of the votes in the Pyeongtaek-eul district, resulting in a defeat. In that district, Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party, a three-term incumbent, is projected to win with 34.59% of the vote. Jo's candidacy in Pyeongtaek-eul was part of a five-way race. Alongside Jo, candidates included Kim Jae-yeon of the Justice Party, Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party, Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party, and Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party. Discussions of a potential unification among candidates ultimately fell through. During a rally in Goddeok-dong the day before the election, Jo urged voters, saying, "Now, the voters, the citizens of Pyeongtaek, must unify through their votes. If you make me the overwhelming number one, I will lead the solidarity and integration of the entire democratic progressive camp with that strength," but it was not enough to secure a win. In Busan Buk-gap, Han faced off against political newcomer Ha Jung-woo, a former chief of AI at the Blue House, who ran as the Democratic Party candidate. During his final campaign rally, Ha stated, "Together with Jeon Jae-soo, I will lead the development of Busan. If the unbeatable fleet of Lee Jae-myung, Jeon Jae-soo, and Ha Jung-woo sets sail, Busan will grow beyond being Korea's second city to become the world's top maritime city." Leading up to the election, polls indicated a tight race, prompting intense scrutiny from both parties. The Democratic Party leadership held its first on-site meeting in Pyeongtaek-eul on the last day of early voting, targeting Jo with last-minute efforts to sway voters. Jo Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, criticized Jo, stating, "A fake Democratic candidate is misleading people as if he were the real one. I urge you to vote for the real Democratic candidate, Kim Yong-nam." As Han's support surged, both parties ramped up their attacks. Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party leader, appeared on a news program on May 28, describing Han's rise as a "kind of optical illusion" and calling for caution. Park Min-sik, another candidate, dismissed Han's support, claiming, "There is a tremendous bubble that I feel almost daily." He criticized Han, saying, "He will use Buk-gu as a disposable fire starter for his political ambitions, regardless of conservatism." The implications of Han's victory and Jo's defeat are expected to shift the political landscape. Han has indicated plans to rejoin the People Power Party. In a press conference at his Busan campaign office on June 1, he stated, "I have lived a political life with waves, but I have never compromised my beliefs. I promised that I would return on the day I was unjustly expelled by the faction of Jang Dong-hyuk, and I will keep that promise." Conversely, Jo's loss raises uncertainties about the Justice Party's position in the Assembly. Jo had previously indicated plans to initiate discussions about merging with the Democratic Party. However, the Democratic Party has distanced itself from any connection between Jo's election outcome and a potential merger. Hwang Myung-seon, a senior member of the Democratic Party, stated during a meeting of the headquarters team on May 30, "As a member of the Supreme Council, I want to make it clear that I am not considering a merger between the Democratic Party and the Justice Party after the election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:09:00