The candidate lineups for Gyeonggi Province’s June 3 by-elections stand finalized, putting 31 mayoral and county executive positions in smaller districts up for grabs. The People Power Party secures uncontested victories in 20 races, dominating incumbent-held seats.
On May 5, party officials and independents registered candidates across all 31 positions. The People Power Party covers every one of its 30 targeted districts. Leaders anticipate finalizing the Siheung mayoral candidate by July 7 following additional nominations.
People Power Party’s Uncontested Dominance
Incumbents clinch re-elections without opposition in key areas, including Seongnam, Uijeongbu, Yangju, Dongducheon, Ansan, Goyang, Gwacheon, Uiwang, Guri, Namyangju, Osan, Gunpo, Hanam, Yeoju, Icheon, Yongin, Gimpo, Gwangju, Pocheon, Yeoncheon County, Yangpyeong County, and Gapyeong County. Notable victors include:
- Shin Sang-jin (Seongnam Mayor)
- Kim Dong-geun (Uijeongbu Mayor)
- Kang Su-hyeon (Yangju Mayor)
- Park Hyeong-deok (Dongducheon Mayor)
- Lee Min-geun (Ansan Mayor)
- Lee Dong-hwan (Goyang Mayor)
- Shin Gye-yong (Gwacheon Mayor)
- Kim Seong-je (Uiwang Mayor)
- Baek Kyung-hyun (Guri Mayor)
- Joo Kwang-deok (Namyangju Mayor)
- Lee Kwon-jae (Osan Mayor)
- Ha Eun-ho (Gunpo Mayor)
- Lee Hyeon-jae (Hanam Mayor)
- Lee Chung-woo (Yeoju Mayor)
- Kim Kyung-hee (Icheon Mayor)
- Lee Sang-il (Yongin Mayor)
- Kim Byeong-su (Gimpo Mayor)
- Bang Se-hwan (Gwangju Mayor)
- Baek Yeong-hyun (Pocheon Mayor)
- Kim Deok-hyeon (Yeoncheon County Executive)
- Jeon Jin-seon (Yangpyeong County Executive)
- Seo Tae-won (Gapyeong County Executive)
Multi-Term Incumbents Prevail
Kim Seong-je (Uiwang), with wins in 2010, 2014, and 2022, and Shin Gye-yong (Gwacheon), victorious in 2014 and 2022, lead multi-term successes. All others among the 20 represent returning incumbents.
Democratic Party Faces Setbacks
Incumbent Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon opts out of re-election, while Paju Mayor Kim Kyung-il loses party nomination. Consequently, seven Democratic Party incumbents advance to the general ballot: Lee Jae-jun (Suwon), Choi Dae-ho (Anyang), Jo Yong-ik (Bucheon), Park Sang-hee (Gwangmyeong), Jeong Myeong-geun (Hwaseong), Im Byeong-taek (Siheung), and Kim Bora (Anseong).
Lee Jae-jun, Jo Yong-ik, and Jeong Myeong-geun pursue second terms; Park Sang-hee, Im Byeong-taek, and Kim Bora seek third terms; Choi Dae-ho aims for a fourth.
Broader Contest Dynamics
Eighteen former National Assembly members, mayors, and other officials who previously lost seats re-emerge as formidable candidates. Former Pocheon Mayor Park Yun-guk eyes a fifth term as county executive. This surge echoes the People Power Party’s recapture of 22 major districts four years ago during the June 1, 2022, by-elections.
