People Power Party candidate Seo Gang-seok has won re-election as Songpa-gu district mayor, defeating Democratic Party of Korea candidate Jo Jae-hee in the 9th nationwide local elections held Wednesday.
With 87.32 percent of ballots counted as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Seo had secured 169,849 votes, or 52.87 percent, against Jo's 151,392 votes, or 47.12 percent, making his victory all but certain.
Seo trailed Jo in early voting at the outset of the count but closed the gap and overtook his rival once election-day ballots were tallied.
As Seo's win became clear, supporters chanted his name and presented him and his wife, Seo Gyeong-ae, with bouquets of flowers.
"Today's victory is not mine — it belongs to every resident of Songpa-gu," Seo said in his victory remarks. He also extended thanks to his opponent. "I am deeply grateful to candidate Jo Jae-hee, who competed in good faith and in the spirit of democratic principles nearly every day throughout the campaign, and I offer him my warmest words of consolation."
Seo pledged to build "a Songpa that serves its residents as its true owners, and a city that moves forward again through creativity and innovation." He added that he would work alongside Songpa residents to make the district "an even better and more comfortable city, and live up to the support and expectations they have placed in me."
<style ref="s1">Full text of Seo Gang-seok's victory address</style>
Hello,
I am Seo Gang-seok, the district mayor-elect of Songpa-gu in the June 3 election.
I bow my head in sincere and deep gratitude for the generous support that the 650,000 respected residents of Songpa-gu have bestowed upon me.
The result of the June 3 election is a great victory for all the people of Songpa-gu.
I will heed the mandate of you, the sovereign residents, to make Songpa an even better city to live in.
Feeling the weight of great responsibility on my shoulders, I will continue to pursue creative and innovative district governance together with you, the residents of Songpa-gu. I will build a world-class Songpa through a service-oriented administration that treats residents as its rightful owners.
I also extend my deepest gratitude and warm words of consolation to candidate Jo Jae-hee, who competed with integrity and in accordance with democratic principles throughout the entire campaign.
I will immediately return to the post of district mayor, which has been held by a legal proxy since March 25, and look forward to meeting you, the residents of Songpa-gu, once again.
I love you. Thank you. I respect you.
June 4, 2026
Seo Gang-seok, district mayor-elect of Songpa-gu, 9th popular election term
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
