Kim Sang-wook of the Democratic Party has been confirmed as the new mayor of Ulsan, attributed to the effects of a last-minute alliance with the Progressive Party.
As of 2:55 a.m. on June 4, Kim was declared the winner over Kim Du-gyeom of the People Power Party, securing his position as the first Democratic mayor of Ulsan in four years since the departure of former mayor Song Cheol-ho in 2022. The margin of victory was approximately 4% in the vote count.
After his victory was assured, Kim stated in interviews on June 3, "This is a stern mandate from the citizens to no longer tolerate deceitful politics. It signifies a rejection of corruption and the entrenched power cartel."
He emphasized, "I will faithfully carry out the mandate to create a Ulsan that prioritizes citizen sovereignty and interests, ensuring that the basics are upheld."
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 reached a dramatic agreement to unite just before the early voting period. In contrast, Kim Du-gyeom and independent candidate Park Maeng-woo failed to form an alliance, with Park receiving about 6% of the votes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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