Democratic Party holds Bucheon amid strong showing across Greater Seoul
Cho Yong-ik of the Democratic Party of Korea won reelection as mayor of Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, in Wednesday's local elections.
Vote tallies released Thursday by the National Election Commission showed Cho secured 238,829 votes, or 62.65 percent, defeating People Power Party candidate Gwak Nae-gyeong, who received 142,336 votes, or 37.34 percent.
"The citizens of Bucheon have once again chosen change and a vision for the future," Cho said in his victory remarks. "I will deliver results that residents can feel in their daily lives by reviving livelihoods and strengthening the city's competitiveness."
He added that he would "concentrate every administrative resource on completing Bucheon as a future city where advanced industry, culture and transportation come together," and pledged to govern through unity and cooperation.
During the campaign, Cho centered his platform on nurturing AI-based advanced industries, expanding regional transportation networks, redeveloping older urban districts, and broadening community-level welfare services.
He particularly emphasized building a transit system linked to the GTX express rail network, accelerating redevelopment and reconstruction projects, and strengthening support policies for youth and new parents.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
