Democratic Party of Korea candidate Woo Sang-ho has been elected governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.
With 99.98 percent of ballots counted as of 6 a.m. Thursday, Woo had received 437,555 votes, or 51.81 percent of valid ballots cast, outpacing rival Kim Jin-tae, who received 406,930 votes, or 48.18 percent. The margin far exceeded the remaining uncounted ballots, confirming Woo's victory.
The win hands the Democratic Party control of Gangwon Province's administration for the first time in four years, wresting it back from the People Power Party.
Kim congratulated Woo and said he would "humbly accept the choice of the province's residents." He thanked supporters for their encouragement during the campaign, adding, "I will never forget the warmth of those who stood by me."
Woo built his winning margin by running strongly in Gangwon Province's major cities — Chuncheon, Wonju, Gangneung and Sokcho — offsetting Kim's advantage in rural county areas.
The border region, where voters have traditionally leaned conservative, was a notable factor. President Lee Jae Myung's message that "peace benefits Gangwon residents" appeared to tip the balance slightly in Woo's favor there.
Woo pledged to carry out his vision for the province. "I will put into practice, one by one, everything I have envisioned for a transformative change in Gangwon Province," he said. "I will walk this path together with everyone, including those who did not support me, in a spirit of unity."
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