First such case in the history of the Yeosu City Council
Song Ha-jin, 63, a Yeosu city council member praised for his legislative record, won a fourth term Wednesday running as an independent with no party backing.
Multi-term council seats are common in the Yeongnam and Honam regions when candidates run under a major party banner. Winning four consecutive terms as an independent, however, is the first such case since the Yeosu City Council was established.
In the June 3 local elections, Song won in District Ra — covering the Mipyeong, Dunddeok, Samil and Myodo-dong neighborhoods — with 33.20 percent of the vote, securing his place as a four-term city council member.
"This result reflects the trust residents placed in one candidate's legislative work and community ties, not in a party organization or political backing," Song said. "This victory belongs not to Song Ha-jin alone, but to every resident who quietly walked alongside me for the sake of this community."
He added that what weighs on him more than the honor of a fourth term is a deep sense of responsibility. "I will work harder and pay closer attention to live up to the expectations residents have placed in me," he said.
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