Defeats People Power Party's Kim Byung-su by 27,860 votes; calls win 'a great victory for all Gimpo citizens'
Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Ki-hyung has won the Gimpo mayoral race in the 9th nationwide local elections, securing his first term leading the city.
Vote tallies released Wednesday by the National Election Commission showed Lee winning with 56.08 percent of the vote, or 128,346 ballots, defeating People Power Party candidate Kim Byung-su, who received 43.91 percent, or 100,486 votes.
"This victory belongs not to any single party or individual, but is a great victory for all the people of Gimpo," Lee said. "The time for Gimpo's true great leap forward has now begun."
He added that he would deliver tangible change across transportation, education, lifestyle infrastructure and future industries. "I will prove myself not through words but through results, not through promises but through action," he said.
Lee's key campaign pledges include the early extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo, a direct GTX-D link to Gangnam, an extension of Incheon Metro Line 2 from Gimpo to Goyang, relief of congestion on the Gimpo Goldline, expansion of education, cultural and lifestyle infrastructure, and the cultivation of future industries.
A two-term Gyeonggi Province Assembly member, Lee previously served as vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's central policy committee and as deputy head of its Euljiro Committee. During the last presidential election, he served as deputy spokesperson for Lee Jae-myung's campaign headquarters.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
