Choi Ki-young wins Bonghwa-gun county chief race, vows unity and open governance

Choi Ki-young of the People Power Party won the Bonghwa-gun county chief seat in the 9th nationwide local elections.

In a victory statement Thursday, Choi said he would "open a new future for Bonghwa through a county administration built on harmony, moving beyond conflict and division." He added that the win "belongs not to me personally, but to the residents of Bonghwa who want change and progress."

Choi said he would "take to heart every single vote the residents cast" and extended words of consolation and gratitude to his fellow candidates. "Our ideas and approaches differed, but I believe we all shared the same love for Bonghwa," he said.

He said the election was over and it was now time "to set aside conflict and division and move forward together, hand in hand, for the future of Bonghwa." He also expressed deep thanks to party members, campaign staff, volunteers and supporters who rallied behind him as one team.

"I will keep my promise to serve the residents and put their lives first," Choi said. "I will be a county chief who listens humbly to the people's voices and repays their trust with results."