Democratic Party claims inaugural mayors of Yeongjong-gu and Geomdan-gu; PPP holds only Ganghwa-gun, Jemulpo-gu and Yeonsu-gu
The Democratic Party of Korea swept Incheon's local elections, winning eight of the city's 11 district and county seats and dramatically reshaping the region's political landscape.
According to vote tallies released Thursday by the National Election Commission, the Democratic Party prevailed in eight of Incheon's 11 districts and counties, while the People Power Party was limited to three.
The elections drew particular attention as the first district-level races held since an administrative reorganization expanded the number of Incheon's basic local government units from 10 to 11.
The Democratic Party won in Ongjin-gun, Yeongjong-gu, Michuhol-gu, Namdong-gu, Bupyeong-gu, Gyeyang-gu, Seohaegu (formerly Seo-gu) and Geomdan-gu. The People Power Party secured victories in Ganghwa-gun, Jemulpo-gu and Yeonsu-gu.
In Ganghwa-gun, People Power Party candidate Park Yong-cheol held the conservative stronghold, while Democratic Party candidate Jang Jeong-min won in Ongjin-gun.
In Jemulpo-gu — a newly created district formed by merging Jung-gu and Dong-gu — People Power Party candidate Kim Chan-jin became the district's inaugural mayor. The post makes him a two-term district mayor when counting his prior tenure in Dong-gu.
In the other newly established district, Yeongjong-gu, Democratic Party candidate Son Hwa-jeong was elected inaugural district mayor. In Michuhol-gu, Democratic Party candidate Kim Jeong-sik won, while People Power Party candidate Lee Jae-ho took Yeonsu-gu.
In Namdong-gu, Democratic Party candidate Lee Byeong-rae won, and in Bupyeong-gu, Cha Jun-taek secured reelection.
In Gyeyang-gu, Democratic Party candidate Park Hyeong-u — a three-term district mayor who served during the fifth through seventh elected terms — returned to claim a fourth term. In Seohaegu (formerly Seo-gu), Democratic Party candidate Gu Jae-yong won. In Geomdan-gu, a new district carved out of Seo-gu, Democratic Party candidate Kim Jin-gyu was elected inaugural district mayor.
The results signal a shift in Incheon's political mood away from the conservative-leaning outcome of the previous local elections and back toward the Democratic Party.
Analysts say the outcome reflects a combination of factors, including a broader desire across the greater Seoul metropolitan area to check the ruling party and voter assessments of how local officials have handled regional issues.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
