Ju Nak-young wins third term as Gyeongju mayor, vows to deliver results

Ju Nak-young won a third consecutive term as mayor of Gyeongju in the 9th nationwide local elections, becoming the first three-term mayor in the city's history.

In a victory statement Thursday, Ju said he felt "a heavy sense of responsibility" at the historic milestone. "I will make sure the name of three-term mayor is remembered through greater service and accountability," he said.

He said the result was not a personal victory. "This outcome is a mandate from citizens to not stop the change and progress we have built together, but to complete it on an even grander scale," he said. "I will never forget the weight of every single vote."

On his plans for city administration, Ju said he would work closely with North Gyeongsang Province and the central government to accelerate Gyeongju's development. He also pledged to build on the city's elevated international profile from hosting the APEC summit and prepare for an era of 60 million tourists annually.

"As the elected mayor of Gyeongju for the ninth term of civilian government, I will repay the mission entrusted to me by citizens with results," Ju said. "I will never lose sight of my original purpose and will run to the end with my eyes fixed solely on the people."