On a brisk afternoon in early May, the political temperature in South Korea’s local elections rose several notches as candidates, both seasoned and new, made their moves, voiced their frustrations, and doubled down on promises to their communities. The latest developments from Gwacheon, Hongcheon, and Yangsan offer a striking snapshot of the challenges, ambitions, and controversies shaping the 2026 local political landscape.
In Gwacheon, a city just south of Seoul known for its blend of urban convenience and green spaces, Shin Gye-yong, a veteran of local politics, officially launched his campaign for mayor on April 28, 2026, at the bustling Central Park. According to reporting from Joongboo Ilbo, Shin didn’t waste time with lofty new promises. Instead, he told supporters, “Now is the time for completed results, not new promises,” underscoring a pragmatic approach rooted in delivery over rhetoric. Shin’s message: focus on what’s been accomplished and prioritize what matters most to Gwacheon residents.
His campaign’s centerpiece is a firm stand against the proposed relocation of the Gwacheon Racecourse. This issue, which has simmered for months, has become a litmus test for candidates’ willingness to challenge central government policies. Shin’s opposition is not just about nostalgia or local pride—it’s about infrastructure. He argues that designating new housing supply sites without proper planning for roads, traffic, power, water, and sewage is, in his words, “an action that disregards Gwacheon citizens and could ultimately lead to pain, disadvantage, and a decline in welfare services.”
Shin’s pledge is clear: “I will block the relocation of the racecourse, and prepare comprehensive development plans for urgent areas like Gwangchang Village, Samp’o Village, and Juam-dong to ensure sustainable growth for Gwacheon.” His credentials add heft to his campaign. A graduate of Seoul National University’s Social Welfare Department and the Graduate School of Public Administration, Shin previously served as a Blue House administrator and held the mayoral office in both the 6th and 8th local government terms. For many, his experience and deep roots in local governance make his candidacy hard to ignore.
Meanwhile, over in Hongcheon County—a rural region in Gangwon Province—another Shin is making headlines, but with a different focus. Shin Young-jae, the People Power Party’s sitting county governor, is seeking re-election. In a televised interview with Hello TV News on May 7, Shin shared his motivation: “For the past 12 years, Hongcheon has experienced stable development thanks to continuous governance. I am determined to be re-elected to ensure uninterrupted progress and to work tirelessly for an even greater Hongcheon.”
Unlike the urban concerns dominating the Gwacheon race, Hongcheon’s challenges are distinctly rural and economic. Shin recounted conversations with local merchants and farmers, all echoing the same refrain—times are tough. “Whether in the marketplace or in the fields, people tell me how difficult things are,” he said. The urgency is clear: revitalizing the local economy is priority number one.
To that end, Shin is proposing a rural basic income, a bold policy aimed at stimulating consumption and boosting the regional economy. The plan would see payments made via local gift certificates, ensuring that the funds circulate within Hongcheon and directly benefit its residents. “I believe this basic income, paid in local gift certificates, will help struggling residents and could be a groundbreaking opportunity to revive our local economy,” Shin explained. His approach stands out in a political climate often skeptical of universal basic income schemes, especially at the local level.
Shin’s resume is as robust as his policy proposals. He’s the only candidate to have served both as a Hongcheon County council member (including a stint as chairman) and as a Gangwon Provincial Assembly member, where he chaired the budget review committee and served as the party’s floor leader. For the past four years, he’s been at the helm as county governor. “There are no other candidates who have this breadth of experience in both legislative and executive roles,” he said, making the case for his unique qualifications and practical vision for the future.
But not all the news from the People Power Party was celebratory. In Yangsan, a city in South Gyeongsang Province, the party faced a public rebuke from within its own ranks. On May 7, Kim Jin-hee, a 60-year-old city council candidate, held a press conference to announce her resignation from the party and withdrawal from the election. Her reason? What she described as an unfair and opaque nomination process.
According to Gyeongnam Domin Ilbo, Kim’s frustration had been building for some time. Last year, she ran as an independent in the Yangsan city council by-election after the party declined to field a candidate due to a scandal involving a former council member. Despite overtures from the Democratic Party, Kim said, “I steadfastly chose the conservative path.” But her faith in the party’s integrity was shaken by what she saw as a disregard for citizens’ needs in favor of “the logic of power and political interests.”
Kim’s criticisms were pointed. She alleged that candidates were being parachuted into districts without proper qualification evaluations and that party leaders were making arbitrary decisions about candidate placements. “It’s incomprehensible that a candidate running in one constituency would be moved to another, or that someone can run simply because of personal connections, without even passing a basic qualification review,” she said. The increase in council seats and the resulting confusion over candidate assignments only deepened her disappointment. “I cannot hide my sense of loss and disappointment at this unfair nomination process,” Kim declared, calling for transparent primaries and fair competition.
Her withdrawal is more than a personal decision—it’s a public indictment of the party’s internal workings. Kim’s stand shines a light on broader concerns about transparency and fairness in local political nominations, issues that resonate far beyond Yangsan.
The events in Gwacheon, Hongcheon, and Yangsan reveal the complex, often messy reality of local politics in South Korea. Candidates like Shin Gye-yong and Shin Young-jae offer visions of progress rooted in experience and local priorities—whether that means standing up to unpopular government policies or proposing innovative economic support for rural residents. At the same time, Kim Jin-hee’s principled exit from the race highlights the importance of trust and fairness in the democratic process, reminding voters that how candidates are chosen matters just as much as what they promise to deliver.
As the local election campaign heats up, one thing is certain: the choices made in these communities will ripple outward, shaping not just the immediate future of Gwacheon, Hongcheon, and Yangsan, but offering lessons for democratic practice across the nation.