Gangneung, whose name gives Gangwon Province its first syllable, has produced progressive lawmakers, prime ministers, deputy prime ministers and cabinet ministers over the years — but since the introduction of local self-governance, the city had never elected a progressive mayor.
That changed Thursday when Kim Jung-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea won the ninth round of direct local elections, becoming the first progressive to take the city's top elected post. While other cities and counties in the Yeongdong region have occasionally elected progressive mayors, Gangneung — the region's main hub — had remained firmly in conservative hands.
Kim secured 58,350 votes, or 51.2 percent of valid ballots cast, comfortably defeating People Power Party candidate Kim Hong-gyu, who received 42.5 percent — a wider margin than many had anticipated.
On Thursday, Kim visited Ojukheon, a historic site in Gangneung, to burn incense and pledged to build a model of reform-minded, progressive local democracy rooted in the city.
Shortly after his victory was confirmed, Kim expressed gratitude to voters. "I am deeply thankful to the citizens of Gangneung for making this great choice," he said. "This result is not a victory for any particular party — it is the collective will of citizens who want change for Gangneung."
He added that he intended to prove voters had made the right decision.
Kim also outlined his early priorities, saying he would relocate the mayor's office to the first floor of City Hall to create an "open administration." He said building transparent governance, developing the city into a hub for advanced industries, and fostering its cultural and arts identity were the most urgent tasks ahead.
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