Kim Nam-kuk wins Ansan-gap by-election across all precincts despite three-way race

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk said Tuesday that he swept every precinct in the Ansan-gap constituency during the National Assembly by-election held alongside the June 3 local elections, setting the largest margin of victory in a Gyeonggi Province by-election.

Kim said in a press release that he won 50,969 votes, defeating People Power Party candidate Kim Seok-hun by 15,002 votes. "This result goes beyond a simple victory — it is significant because it reflects the mood of Ansan-gap voters, confirmed by an even wider margin than in the 22nd general election," he said.

According to Kim's office, in the Ansan-gap count for the 22nd general election, Democratic Party candidate Yang Mun-seok received 57,050 votes against PPP candidate Jang Seong-min's 45,517, a gap of 11,533 votes. In this by-election, the margin between first and second place widened to 15,002 votes — 3,469 more than in the previous general election.

Kim's office said he secured a stable win with 55.45 percent of the vote, a majority. "Particularly in a three-way race where Reform Party candidate Moon In-su received 4,968 votes (5.40 percent), Kim's majority reflects clear support from Ansan-gap voters for his competitiveness as a candidate and his ability to address local issues," the office said.

The office added that the result was driven not only by party loyalty but also by voter confidence in Kim's personal work ethic and track record. "Kim has built an understanding of governance, political judgment and public communication through roles including digital communications secretary at the presidential office and spokesperson for the Democratic Party," it said. "Voters choosing Kim is interpreted as a call for him to lead Ansan's development on the strength of his verified practical experience in the National Assembly, the party and the presidential office."

Kim also led PPP candidate Kim Seok-hun in every precinct across Ansan-gap — including Sadong, Saidong, Haeyangdong, Bono 1-dong, Bono 2-dong, Bono 3-dong and Banwoldong.

Haeyangdong had been one of the most competitive precincts in the 22nd general election, where the Democratic Party took 50.69 percent against the PPP's 49.30 percent — a gap of just 1.39 percentage points. In this by-election, Kim won 49.99 percent to Kim Seok-hun's 43.52 percent, widening the margin to 6.47 percentage points.

A comparison with the Ansan mayoral race held the same day showed that the PPP's advantage in the mayoral contest did not carry over to the National Assembly race.

Kim shared his reaction to the win on social media, saying he would resolve long-stalled local projects one by one. "I will show results, not words — change that citizens can feel in their daily lives, not just promises," he wrote.

At the National Assembly oath ceremony during a plenary session on Friday, Kim expressed deep gratitude to Ansan residents for giving him the opportunity to serve again. "I will devote all my energy in the National Assembly to legislation and budgeting so that our economy can regain vitality and changes that genuinely help people's lives can take shape," he said.